When ambulances hinder instead of helping those in need

PETALING JAYA: The normal reaction in a medical emergency would be to call an ambulance, but there are some who are reluctant to do so.

A retiree and heart patient, who only wanted to be known as Shah, 65, said his family had a bad experience when calling for an ambulance six years ago.

“Our family had just finished having dinner when I felt uncomfortable and my chest hurt, so my daughter called for an ambulance, hoping it would arrive fast.

“It arrived a good 40 minutes later, by which time my daughter had almost decided to just drive me to the nearest hospital in her car,” he said.

Thankfully, doctors at the hospital were quick to attend to Shah when he arrived, and he was discharged after two days.

“Since then, I’ve had a mild phobia of having to rely on an ambulance, but I know there’s very little choice I have in the event of another emergency,” he said.

Shah’s complaint is just one of many against ambulance services, most of which are about response time delays, lack of equipment and lack of knowledge by the staff.

In 2013, Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) president Jacob George said he received more than 900 complaints from consumers against ambulance services in three years.

Marketing executive M. Krishnan, 35, said he had heard horror stories of ambulance staff lacking the proper medical knowledge.

“Ambulance staff are the first medical emergency response team, and their skills can make the difference between life and death.

“If a man is badly hurt in an accident, the ambulance personnel should be able to immediately diagnose his injuries, how serious they are, and if needed, administer the necessary aid to keep him alive at least until he reaches the hospital,” he said.