Mysore/Mysuru: Reacting to the crisis, Mysuru District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy said that the State Government has approved a proposal to bring the 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance service under the direct management of the Health Department, ending its dependence on private operators. A Government Order (GO) to this effect was issued on June 12.

“Most of the 108 ambulances in Mysuru are currently out of service. We have already sent 16 vehicles for major repairs to a showroom on Hunsur Road. Mysuru has a sanctioned fleet of 37 ambulances and our goal is to repair every vehicle and make them roadworthy within the next month,” he assured.

To handle emergencies in the interim, the Health Department had temporarily deployed blood bank vehicles and private vehicles with lined-up drivers to function as makeshift 108 ambulances. However, Dr. Kumaraswamy admitted that this was not an effective long-term solution.

“In about a month, all 37 ambulances will be fully operational, significantly improving emergency response in Mysuru,” he added.