West Singhbhum, September 07, 2026: Patients in Jhinkpani and surrounding rural areas are facing difficulties accessing emergency transport after the 108 ambulance attached to Jhinkpani Community Health Centre reportedly remained out of service for nearly three months.
The prolonged disruption is creating particular challenges during medical emergencies such as accidents, childbirth and serious illnesses, when timely transportation to a hospital can be critical.
With the government ambulance unavailable, patients’ families are reportedly having to arrange private vehicles or ambulances to reach healthcare facilities. For economically weaker households, this can add an unexpected financial burden at a time of medical crisis.
Residents seek immediate restoration
Local residents have raised concerns over the continued unavailability of the ambulance, describing the 108 service as an important emergency lifeline for a rural area such as Jhinkpani.
Residents also said that emergency ambulance availability remains a concern in the Tonto area, with some patients having to arrange transportation on their own to reach hospitals.
Social workers Jitendra Gop, Jitendra Kumar and Sunil Anand, residents of Jhinkpani, have urged the district administration and Health Department to arrange repairs and restore the 108 ambulance service at the earliest.
They have also sought improvements in ambulance and healthcare facilities in Tonto and other surrounding areas.
The prolonged breakdown has renewed concerns among residents about the availability of emergency transport in rural parts of West Singhbhum, particularly for families who depend on government ambulance services during medical emergencies.
