Ambulances converted for private use, MP complains

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 April 2003, 11:00 GMT]
Three of the eight ambulances given by the World Health Organization (WHO), have been converted to pleasure vehicles with their medical equipment removed and additional seats fitted, and are being used for private purposes by high level health officers of the Northeast Health Ministry, complained Vavuniya district parliamentarian, Sivasakthi Anandan, in a letter sent to Sri Lanka Government's Minister of health, P.Dayaratne, sources in Vavuniya said.

Eight ambulances given by the WHO were intended for distribution each of the eight districts of the Northeast province. Vavuniya and two other districts in the east have not received the vehicles intended for the health services in these districts.

Sivasakthi Anandan said that it is inconceivable that Health Ministry Officials who are responsible for the medical welfare of the people will engage in such acts.

The parliamentarian added that although Vavuniya health services has three ambulances, two of them are old and constantly need repairs, and the remaining single vehicle is inadequate to meet the needs to transport the sick from Vavuniya General Hospital to Colombo, Kandy, Kurunagala and Anuradhapura hospitals.