Fake call sends Janani Express on 90-minute run in Raisen; hospital cleaner behind it

A case of irregularity in the running of 108 ambulances and Janani Express vehicles has come to light in Raisen district. A fake call was made to the district hospital's Janani Express in the name of bringing in a patient in labour pain. The vehicle ran for about an hour and a half, covering 30 to 40 km, but no patient was found at the spot.

An inquiry found that the call was not made by an outsider. It was made by a cleaner at the district hospital itself.

MD Bharti, nodal officer for 108 ambulances, said a call centre had been asked to phone to find out whether the district hospital's Janani Express was available. The pilot then said he was going to pick up a patient in labour pain. When he was asked how long he would take to arrive, he said the vehicle had broken down and gave a time of about an hour and a half.

The call was then tracked and details of the number from which the ambulance had been summoned were obtained. It emerged that the call had been made by the hospital's cleaner. The call had spoken of bringing the patient from 30 to 40 km away, when in fact there was no patient there at all.

On receiving news of the matter, CMHO Dr Dinesh Khatri, Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Odh and nodal officer MD Bharti reached the district hospital at night. The CMHO had the mobile number from which the Janani Express call had come dialled. At first the caller spoke normally. But when the CMHO introduced himself and asked questions, the caller began denying that he had made the call. The matter was confirmed after this.

According to Bharti, the nodal officer's permission is required for a drop case of the Janani Express. In this case, it has emerged that the fake call was made to raise the vehicle's meter reading. Details of the whole matter will be sent to the government, and a letter will be written seeking action against the vendor concerned.

The running of an ambulance meant to serve patients on a fake call has raised questions about the whole system.