Elappara: Despite being an essential service, the proposal to purchase new tyres for the ambulance at the Elappara Family Health Centre (FHC) has been stuck in limbo for more than a month and a half. Even after repeated communications through official letters, proceedings related to the purchase are moving at a snail’s pace in the office of the District Medical Officer (DMO).

With all four tyres worn out, the ambulance now lies idle on the hospital premises at Elappara. To initiate the purchase of a new set of tyres, the Medical Officer at Elappara FHC had written to the DMO, following which the latter sought a report from the foreman mechanic.

However, even after receiving the mechanic’s report, permission to invite quotations for tyre purchase continues to face inordinate delays. The ambulance was originally allotted to the hospital through the intervention of MP Dean Kuriakose.

For the people of this plantation belt, who often depend on Kanjirappally General Hospital and Kottayam Medical College for advanced treatment, the ambulance has been a lifeline.

Commenting on the issue, Elappara Panchayat member Ummer Farooq said the crisis caused by the delay had already been brought to the attention of the Idukki MP. An assurance has been received that the ambulance service will resume within the next couple of days, he added.