Day 2, ambulances still in need of resuscitation

PANAJI: The 108 emergency services operated by GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) continued to be affected on day two as well, as more than half of its ambulances remained grounded. The EMRI has 32 ambulances including three under repairs.
On Sunday morning, EMRI management discovered that tyres of 11 ambulances parked outside its office in the premises of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim, were deflated
and their fuel tanks emptied.Ambulances in Ponda and Sanvordem were similarly
affected.
The ambulances are being repaired and will be on the road by Tuesday, said S Mohammed Rafi, regional manager, Hyderabad, GVK EMRI who is Goa on deputation.
On Sunday, GVK EMRI registered a complaint with Agasaim police station suspecting that it was the handiwork of some of its agitating employees. About 120 employees of GVK EMRI are on strike since February 18, demanding they be absorbed into government service. They have also alleged harassment by the EMRI management.
The employees went on strike despite imposition of Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) and since March 19, five of the agitating employees have been on hunger strike.
The GVK EMRI has terminated services of 11 of its employees on strike, alleging they threatened their staff from other centers who were brought to operate emergency services in Goa.
The 108 ambulances are normally placed at district hospitals, primary health centres, community health centres and at police stations. Rafi said 15 pilots and emergency management technicians (EMTs) from other centers are ready to come to
Goa. They will relieve the present staff deployed from other centres.
Hridaynath Shirodkar, president of Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, accused EMRI management of damaging its own ambulances. This, he said, has been done as agitators are gaining sympathy from the public.
Agasaim PI Pravin Pawar said they have collected evidence, and will shortly determine who damaged the ambulances. tnn