Chief Minister launches 118 vehicles for Health Department

The Health Department has procured ambulances and life support vehicles in a bid to keep pace with the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the State. The Chief Minister had announced in March that 500 ambulances would be added to the ‘108’ ambulance service fleet at a cost of Rs 125 crore. In the first phase, 90 ambulances and 10 vehicles to transport collected blood were procured at the cost of Rs 20.65 crore and Rs 3.09 crore respectively.

The Chief Minister also handed over appointment orders to 138 persons who would join Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

Among the 138 new employees is M Veeralakshmi, the first woman ambulance pilot in the State. Veeralakshmi, who was working as a call taxi driver, said she looked for an opportunity to work as an ambulance driver to serve the people other than just keeping her profession as a means of earning money.

Hailing from Veeralakshmi, she has been working as a call taxi driver in Chennai for the past few years. She lives with her husband, also a taxi driver, and two children in Tiruvottiyur.

“There was no job satisfaction in my previous profession. But being an ambulance driver would help me serve others. I feel very happy to receive that opportunity despite several fears and challenges that lie ahead,” said Veeralakshmi.