An ambulance, previously flagged off by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal for the kidney patients of Supebeda in Devbhog, has been sent back. This decision follows an investigation into its operational costs.
The ambulance service, sourced from a Raipur-based firm, operated without a formal contract, a set budget, or allocated funds. The arrangement involved a rate of ₹1.5 lakh per month for 2000 km. Excess mileage led to extra billing, resulting in a bill of ₹15 lakh for an ambulance valued at ₹14 lakh over 12 months. An unauthorized payment of ₹10 lakh was made from the central NHM fund. Following the appointment of a new CMHO, the ambulance was withdrawn due to irregularities. The expenditure on the ambulance has sparked controversy, and a probe into all expenses is now underway.
Local residents of Supebeda have also reacted. They express that they would prefer free access to blood tests and kidney disease medications, which were previously provided, over the ambulance service. These essential services are currently unavailable to them.