Bike ambulance officers to give only basic medical aid, not transport patients: Government | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Bike ambulance officers to give only basic medical aid, not transport patients: Government

New Delhi | ByRicha Banka
May 05, 2019 03:50 AM IST

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed through advocate Kamlesh Kumar had also demanded the appointment of qualified people as drivers.

The Delhi government has informed the Delhi High Court that an assistant ambulance officer (AAO), assigned with the job of driving a first responder vehicle (FRV), will not transport patients and will only give basic medical assistance till another vehicle or ambulance arrives.

The bike ambulance facility was launched in February(HT File)
The bike ambulance facility was launched in February(HT File)

The information was given to a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambhani while hearing a plea that claimed that 70% of AAOs, who would be riding the Delhi government’s motorcycle ambulances launched February this year, are more than 50 years of age and are not trained paramedics.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed through advocate Kamlesh Kumar had also demanded the appointment of qualified people as drivers.

On Thursday, the Delhi government told the court that the AAOs had been trained in basic life-support techniques, had commercial driving licences and a work experience of more than 20 years.

It said the task of the AAOs is to stabilise the patient/accident victim by basic first aid, which includes bleeding control techniques, cardio pulmonary respiration, air-way management and oxygen therapy till the arrival of four-wheeler ambulances.

It said these officers had an experience of more than 20 years and before being deployed in FRVs, they were deployed in CATS ambulances, wherein they provided all necessary medical support for which they were trained.

“They are not termed as “paramedic” as their designation is “assistant ambulance officer (AAO),” the reply read, adding at any point they are not required to administer any injection.

In affidavit, the Delhi government told the court that the present PIL was filed for meeting the personal interest of an individual as the cabinet note and the copies of file noting and letters of CATS along with the petition was only given to Dharmendra Trivedi, President of CATS Officers Welfare Association under the RTI act.

The affidavit read that Trivedi had opposed the deployment of AAOs at the FRVs and hence the present petition appears to be filed on behalf of the said personal for his personal/his colleagues’ interest.

The Delhi government said the FRVs are necessary because at many places, the roads are very narrow for a four-wheeler ambulance. It said the FRVs were started to complement the ambulance services, especially in JJ clusters and congested areas, so that lives can be saved by providing necessary first aid to needy persons.

The Delhi government contended that the manpower deployed in FRVs have to carry medical equipments and medical consumables required for providing necessary medical first aid to the needy persons. The total weight of these items is approximately 10 kgs and is therefore convenient to carry in an FRV.

The plea, filed through advocate Kamlesh Kumar, quoted an RTI reply that reportedly said the AAOs, who would be riding the bikes, had no requisite qualification to be paramedics.

The petitioner said the decision to appoint AAOs as drivers is being questioned by its own employees on the grounds that the government had not recruited special cadre to man the scheme.

It said they were relying on the existing AAOs, 70% of whom are above 50 years of age.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On