Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has stated that the proposed strike by 108 ambulance employees will not be permitted under any circumstances, asserting that the government will not allow anyone to compromise the lives of patients. Reaffirming the state’s firm position, the Minister remarked that people utilize 108 ambulance services out of emergency medical needs and not for leisure trips.
The Kerala State 108 Ambulance Employees Union has called for a strike starting on the 17th of this month. To prevent any disruption, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has written to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, requesting the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against striking employees. The government reiterated that halting services or blocking ambulance operations will face severe legal consequences.
Given that the 24/7 emergency response service is critical for life-saving care, any interruption poses a direct threat to patient safety, prompting the government’s unyielding stance. Additionally, the Health Minister highlighted that controlling seasonal fever and infectious diseases is a collective responsibility, calling upon voluntary organizations to join hands with state-driven awareness initiatives.
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