Bonai: A severe fuel shortage has disrupted emergency healthcare services in Odisha’s Bonai subdivision, leaving 108 ambulance and Janani vehicle services virtually paralysed for the past three days and causing immense hardship to patients and pregnant women.

Patients, pregnant women struggle as 108 ambulances remain off roads

The crisis, reportedly linked to the ongoing fuel shortage being witnessed in several parts of the country, has significantly affected emergency medical transportation in the accident-prone Bonai region of Sundargarh district. As ambulance services remain off the roads due to lack of diesel, critically ill patients are being forced to hire private vehicles to travel to hospitals in Rourkela and other places for treatment.

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Local residents alleged that the 108 ambulance service is the primary lifeline in the region, where road accidents are frequent. However, due to the fuel shortage, ambulances have reportedly remained stranded. Residents claimed that whenever they contacted the 108 emergency helpline, staff members apologised, saying the vehicles had no fuel.

The disruption has triggered resentment among patients and their family members at Bonai hospital, as many financially struggling families are now compelled to spend heavily on private transport during medical emergencies.

When contacted over the issue, Bonai Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Dr. Manoj Kumar Pati said he was not aware of the matter. He stated that the 108 ambulance service is managed from the Sundargarh district headquarters and assured that the problem would be resolved soon.

The alleged collapse of emergency healthcare services has sparked strong public outrage, with residents demanding immediate intervention by the state government and district administration to restore normal ambulance and Janani services in the region.