Herald: How do you rate the services in Goa?
PRASAD NAIK: Frankly speaking, the 108 ambulance services are not functioning the way they were conceptualized tobe in the beginning. The number of functional ambulances is low and therefore the ambulances are not able to reach at the accident spots on time. Six months back, only 10-12 ambulances were functional but after the union interfered, today around 25 ambulances are functional.
Herald: What have been the major issues?
PRASAD NAIK: There are around 160 staffers, including the drivers and emergency medical staff. While, the drivers are on duty, the emergency medical staffers are incompetent. Some of them are not even able to check BP or process an ECG. As of today, not a single ambulance has the basic machinery in place. The condition of every ambulance is bad and just as rickety as some of our KTC buses, as they are used only to ferry passengers and no emergency treatment can be provided to them in transit.
Herald: Are you saying the management is not functioning properly?
PRASAD NAIK: I openly allege that the management is involved in a scam as the government is providing them with funds to run the services. So, the big question is, what is the management doing with the funds provided by the government.
Herald: What are the shortcomings and why do you allege so?
PRASAD NAIK: As soon as Vishwajit Rane assumed charge, he called for a meeting with the management and asked the ambulances be brought for inspection. It was noticed that while the government provides funds for 2 neo-natal ambulances but the management has been utilizing only one neo-natal ambulance. This mismanagement clearly shows the wrong doings of the company and we would like to know who has authorized them to play with the lives of Goans. Why is the management not focusing on the maintenance?
Herald: Apart from infra, what are the employees’ complaints?
PRASAD NAIK: Leaves are a huge matter. The management does not allow the employees to take leaves and the union has been at logger heads with the management. The company forces employees to work without leaves as they lack staff.
