Bangalore Urban district health and family welfare officer has asked private healthcare providers to ensure wheelchair and ambulance.
Published Apr 24, 2023 | 6:23 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 24, 2023 | 7:26 PM
Representational Image. (iStock)
“Don’t let mobility challenges stop you from exercising your right to vote!”
The Health and Family Welfare Department of Bangalore Urban district is making arrangements to prove wheel chairs and ambulances at all polling stations for the upcoming 10 May elections in Karnataka.
A memorandum by the district health and family welfare officer has been sent to the medical directors of private healthcare facilities to ensure the provision of wheel chairs and ambulances on 9 and 10 May at the polling booths.
pic for representation only (Wikimedia Common)
For those wondering if there would be wheelchair assistance at the polling booths in Bengaluru, the district health department is making arrangements.
According to Health Department officials, a meeting was held at the BBMP office on 20 April based on the instructions from the Election Commissioner, Bangalore Urban, and Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, District Registration and the Grievances Redressal Authority Bangalore Urban.
“The District Health and Family Welfare Department has been entrusted with the task of arranging one wheel chair at the polling station for the needy and one ambulance in case of casualties at the polling area, which has to be stationed at the nearest health faciilty assigned by nodal officer,” said the district health and family welfare officer in a memorandum.
The taluk health officers, based on the memorandum issued, have requested the doctors who are running clinics, polyclincs, diagnostic centers, dental clinics, nursing homes and private hosptials to provide wheelchair on the prescribed dates.
The order specifies that each clinic must provide one wheelchair, while hospitals with less than 30 beds must provide two wheelchairs. Hospitals with 50 beds are required to provide three wheelchairs, while 100 bed hospitals must provide five wheelchairs. Level four super speciality hospitals are required to provide ten wheelchairs.
In the event that a center does not have the required number of wheelchairs, they have been requested to purchase the required number and keep them ready for the day of the election.
The order also requests all centers to provide emergency ambulance services in case of emergency situations.
One such letter which is with South First says that the nodal officers of the constituency would be assigned for the job.
Dr Shylakumar, the Taluk Health Officer for Bangalore North & Yelahanka taluk, has been appointed as the nodal officer for Bytaranpura and Yelahanka constituency. He will be tagging each private sector to each booth for wheelchair and emergency ambulance service.
The order emphasises the importance of prioritising the needs of individuals with disabilities and elderly individuals in healthcare facilities.
By providing the necessary assistance, healthcare providers can ensure that every individual is given equal access to healthcare facilities and is able to exercise their right to vote.
The Bengaluru Health Department’s order serves as a reminder to healthcare providers that it is their responsibility to ensure that every individual is given equal access to healthcare facilities, especially during important events such as elections.
By providing the necessary assistance, healthcare providers can contribute to the smooth functioning of the elections and ensure that every individual is able to exercise their right to vote.
The Taluk Health Officer for Bangalore North & Yelahanka taluk, Dr Shylakumar in a message to the doctors said, he “will be tagging each private sector to each booth for wheelchair and emergency service,”
Speaking to South First Dr Sriram P, physician from Yelahanka said, “It is a good move from the department. It is our duty to help the government. It is important to prioritise the needs of individuals with disabilities and the elderly who want to come to the centre to exercise their voting right. This initiative will help a lot.”
