Shillong: Meghalaya’s 108 emergency ambulance service is struggling to function as hundreds of calls go unanswered every month. The Meghalaya EMRI Workers’ Union reports that a severe shortage of drivers and available ambulances is forcing dispatchers to de-assign critical cases, leaving the public without vital support during emergencies.
The union has raised significant concerns regarding the decision to enlist Shishupal Security Agency to recruit emergency medical technicians and drivers. Union secretary Refreshing Siangshai questioned the appropriateness of a security firm handling healthcare hiring, noting that the staff brought on through this agency are already dealing with delayed paychecks. The union is calling for a more transparent, open recruitment process.
Administrative issues are further complicating the service. The union demands the removal of the current programme manager, citing unresolved operational failures since the National Health Mission assumed control. Employees have also flagged salary discrepancies where experienced staff earn less than recent hires, alongside grievances regarding missing compensation benefits.
Technical reliability remains a major hurdle, with workers reporting a lack of backup communication lines that causes frequent service disruptions. While the state government has begun an assessment of the emergency system, the union is pushing for urgent action to fill vacancies and expand coverage in remote areas. If these staffing and infrastructure issues remain unaddressed, the union has threatened to launch a state-wide protest.
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