Madurai patients flag frequent breakdowns of 108 ambulances over poor servicing

Patients and their relatives in Madurai have raised concerns over sudden breakdowns of 108 ambulances during emergency trips over the last six months, alleging poor maintenance, The New Indian Express reported.

One relative said her father's ambulance trip to Thiruparankundram Government Hospital, about 4 km away, was marked by unusual shaking, and that the vehicle was later found not to have been properly serviced. A 108 driver recalled a mechanical fault in May while taking a patient from Vadipatti to Government Rajaji Hospital. He said a mechanic friend later pointed to low transmission fluid, a malfunctioning shifter interlock, a worn cable and a faulty clutch, and alleged that complaints to the service association brought no maintenance.

A former president of the COITU-108 Ambulance Workers Union (Madurai), T Sivakumar, said wobbling, breakdowns and engine failures stem from a lack of regular servicing, and alleged that oil changes are being postponed. Only 49 ambulances are allocated to Madurai district, according to the report.

Operator's response

K J Ramkumar, district manager of EMRI Green Health Services, which runs the 108 service, said scheduled servicing is not compromised. He said Scheduled Service One covers vehicles that have run 20,000 km and Scheduled Service Two covers those beyond 40,000 km, and that a replacement vehicle is provided immediately after an emergency breakdown. He acknowledged vehicles may occasionally run 1,000 to 2,000 km past a service date.

Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers

The report underlines how servicing schedules directly affect whether an ambulance can complete an emergency run.