• Source:JND
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Shahibganj Boat Ambulance: A boat ambulance at the Ganga ghat in the district headquarters has been put back into operation on October 1 after undergoing minor repairs.

Civil Surgeon Ramdev Paswan and Mukesh Kumar conducted a trial of the boat ambulance at the Biksha Ghat. They tested it by going into the middle of the Ganga River and found it to be in good condition. Permission has been granted to the boat driver to fetch pregnant women, patients who have fainted, and those bitten by snakes from across the Ganga.

Night service will remain suspended until the floodwaters recede. For now, the service is available from morning to 5 pm.

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In a significant development, one of the two boat ambulances purchased in 2023 under the DMFT fund at a cost of Rs 64 lakh has been put back into operation. The boat ambulance will operate on the Ganga River, providing free emergency services to patients in need.

Sahibganj Boat Ambulance: How It Works

Patients or their attendants can call the designated numbers - 7903744978, 9199867299 (Dr. Devesh Kumar), 7870276430 (Dr. Mahmood Alam), and 9661167879 (CS Dr. Ramdev Paswan) - to request the boat ambulance. Once called, the boat will be dispatched to the patient's location on the riverbank. After picking up the patient, the boat will bring them to the nearest point on the riverbank, where an ambulance (108) or hospital ambulance will be waiting to transport the patient to the district hospital.

Funding And Expenses Of Sahibganj Ambulance Boat

The expenses for the boat ambulance, including fuel and driver costs, will be covered under the Ayushman plan fund.

Background

The two boat ambulances were purchased during the tenure of former DC Ram Niwas Yadav in 2023 to cover the 83 km stretch of the Ganga river. However, due to non-payment of dues to the supplier and lack of maintenance, the service was discontinued after six months. One of the boat ambulances was submerged in floodwaters and suffered damage, with its AC and motor stolen.

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Unpaid Dues

The supplier, who provided the boat ambulances, is still owed Rs 20 lakh, despite repeated visits to the office. The revival of the boat ambulance is expected to bring relief to patients living along the Ganga River, who can now access medical emergency services without having to worry about transportation costs.