Shimla's Junga hospital ambulance idle for two months because of driver shortage
An ambulance donated by an NGO in August has not started service at Junga civil hospital since its driver was sent on deputation, Amar Ujala reports.
A new ambulance at the civil hospital in Junga, Shimla district, has stood outside the hospital for two months without serving patients, Amar Ujala reported on 21 October 2026.
According to the report, a non-governmental organisation gave the ambulance to the hospital on 19 August. Service could not begin because the driver posted at the hospital was sent on deputation to Chamiyana, where the driver is working.
Khush Vikram Sen, a zila parishad member from the Chamiyana ward, accused the government of negligence. He said that when the vehicle was provided, the department and government had been asked in writing to send the driver back, but no action has followed. He said people in the area face difficulty in serious illness or emergencies as the ambulance is not available.
Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers
- The case shows that a donated vehicle still needs a trained driver on the roster to be useful.
- Driver shortages in government facilities can leave vehicles unused even when ambulances are available.
Read the full report at the source: Amar Ujala
This is a summary written by the Ambulance Owner Association. The facts are from the source named above.