‘How will I take my sick sister home?’ ambulance strike causes severe hardship
An ambulance strike is underway at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Patients are being transported in CNG auto rickshaws, leaving relatives struggling to move critically ill patients. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Russell Ahmed brought his sick sister to Dhaka Medical College Hospital from Mirzapur in Tangail on October 20. On Wednesday morning, doctors discharged her. However, Russell has been unable to find an ambulance to take his sister home.
He told Agamir Somoy, “I have not been able to find an ambulance since morning. My sister has not fully recovered yet. How can I take her such a long distance in this condition? I do not know what to do now.”
Hospital sources said the Private Ambulance Owners Association is observing a strike demanding permanent parking facilities at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Patients and their relatives have been facing severe hardship as a result. Despite repeated efforts, many have been unable to find an ambulance.
Tanvir Hossain brought a paralyzed patient to DMCH from Narayanganj two days ago. The patient needs to be transferred to another hospital for advanced treatment. However, Tanvir has been waiting since Wednesday morning without finding an ambulance.
Photo: Ambulances available at higher fares after patients are taken from DMCH to Shahbagh
Expressing his frustration, he said, “I have been trying since morning to take the patient to another hospital. But I cannot find an ambulance. I am facing extreme uncertainty over how to transport the patient.”
Only two or three government ambulances were seen around Dhaka Medical College Hospital that day. No private ambulances were available. Patients continued to arrive in CNG auto rickshaws at regular intervals. Relatives struggled to get critically ill patients out of the vehicles.
Some people were also arranging ambulances using phone numbers collected online. However, drivers were refusing to come to the gate of DMCH.
Patient’s relative Tanvir Hossain said, “I called and spoke to an ambulance service. The driver told me he would not come to the hospital gate to pick up the patient. If we make alternative arrangements to take the patient to Shahbagh, he will transport the patient from there to the destination.”
Hospital sources said the new director of DMCH, Brigadier General AKM Mohammad Farhad Hossain, has prohibited private ambulances from parking on the hospital premises. He has converted the room previously used by the ambulance association beside the emergency department into a seating area for patients’ relatives.
