Kota Kinabalu: The Health Ministry as well as Director of Health have been asked to explain why there is such shortage of ambulances in the State.Sabah PAS State Commissioner Hj Mohd Aminuddin Aling in a statement said he received numerous complains from the public that there are shortages of ambulances in hospitals from Kudat, Kota Marudu, Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Kota Kinabalu, Ranau, Tenom, Labuan and in the East Coast of Sabah.
The ambulances, in a majority of hospitals in Sabah, are in serious shortage to cater to patients' needs, due to its high 'casualty' rates, he said.
"I would like some explanation from the Director on this situation and the reason why there is such a shortage of ambulances to serve patients.
"From a short visit conducted with Sabah DAP Vice Chairman, Edward Ewol Mujie, we saw from three workshops in town, that there are already about 15 units of ambulances parked there for repairs and pending for spare parts.
"These ambulances are Italian made, and their conditions are termed as 'critically ill', and some even classified as 'no cure'," Aminuddin pointed out.
In this respect, he asked how could these Italian-made ambulances which are quite new, end up in workshops with their engines jammed up, systems failed and without spare-parts to put them back in running order.
"The Ministry could have bought unsuitable ambulances for Sabah hospitals.
"When is the Ministry going to replace all these unserviceable ambulances?
The ambulances can wait but the patients," he said.
This, Aminuddin added, is a clear indication that hospitals have failed to guarantee an efficient life saving ambulance service.
