Parking of pvt ambulances on MMCH premises causes trouble for patients

The premises of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) are often occupied by dozens of private ambulances, much to the nuisance for hundreds of patients and their attendants. 

Sometimes, the drivers keep the vehicles close to the MMCH emergency gate to get trips.

For years, private ambulances were kept on both sides of the road in front of MMCH but the hospital authorities failed to clear the road, sources said.

After the construction work of Charpara Road in the hospital area began last month, the private ambulance drivers started keeping the vehicles on MMCH premises, and so, a large portion of it remains occupied round the clock, said MMCH sources. 

During a visit to MMCH yesterday, this correspondent found some 50 ambulances on its premises.

"As the drivers with their vehicles stay on the hospital compound, it creates a nuisance for us," said Rawshan Ara, an outdoor patient. 

Several indoor and outdoor patients and their attendants echoed the same.

There are allegations that with the blessings from a section of hospital officials, some MMCH employees and on-duty policemen enjoy financial gains from the ambulance drivers for giving them parking facility on the hospital premises.

Contacted, MMCH Director Brig Gen Fasiur Rahman said, "I never allow such parking but ambulance drivers keep the vehicles on the premises in my absence."

Dr Motiur Rahman Bhuiyan, secretary of Bangladesh Medical Association's Mymensingh unit, said, "Keeping private vehicles at such an important place is illegal. We have urged the municipality authorities to take steps to remove the vehicles from MMCH premises but to no effect yet."