Govt ambulance in Katihar carries 17 people, including seven children

An ambulance from Azamnagar Primary Health Centre, designated to transport seven ailing children for medical examination and treatment, was reported to be carrying 17 people in total—seven patients and ten attendants—on its way to Katihar district hospital. After reaching the district hospital on Friday, an attendant told media personnel that there were ten accompanying persons in the vehicle. A district hospital doctor said, 'Ideally, one patient and two attendants are allowed to travel in an ambulance.' The ambulance driver claimed the medical officer of Azamnagar PHC, Dr Shakeel Ahmad, directed him to take all seven children to the district hospital, and that their attendants boarded the vehicle later. Dr Shakeel Ahmad added that the children are differently abled and needed medical examinations, and that they were sent in a single ambulance on the directive of district RBSK coordinator Prashant Jha.