Limited service of ICU ambulance

KOCHI: Of the two ‘working’ ambulances, the ICU ambulance is not allowed to run outside of the state. Sources said that they are helpless in cases where the patients are asked to be taken outside the district or the state, for they did not have the permission from the authorities concerned. The ICU ambulance is owned by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd and the state government. This particular ambulance is maintained by the Hospital Development Committee (HDC) of the General Hospital. However, in times of emergencies, the ambulance is allowed to go outside the district and the state with the District Collector’s permission.Besides, the NRHM has every right to recall the service of the ICU ambulance, if the need arises. Such a problem would not arise, if the hospital owns an ICU ambulance.