'991' service leaves a lot to be desired

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Gurdip Kaur from the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang gets frustrated and angry talking about the "991" ambulance service. She had a bad experience six months ago.
When her fellow resident at the centre, Ramzam Begum collapsed on the sofa, Gurdip, paralysed from the waist down, called "991".
"There is no promise we will send an ambulance. All our ambulances are out," the operator told her.
Fifteen minutes passed. No ambulance arrived.
"Froth was starting to form in Ramzam’s mouth. That is a danger sign, and I was getting anxious," said Gurdip, a former nurse.
She called again and was told the same thing.
She joined other residents — five wheelchair-bound and one who had only one leg — in trying to revive Ramzam, who had a history of fits and is paralysed on one side of her body.
"We kept rubbing her palms and calling out her name," Gurdip said.
About 45 minutes later, a St John Ambulans Malaysia vehicle arrived to take her to the Selayang Hospital.
"I think the most unfortunate people in the world are the disabled because we are helpless. Disabled people should be given priority in medical emergency cases," she said.
Edward Lee of Seksyen 5, Petaling Jaya, would rather avoid what Gurdip went through and just call a private hospital, even if it means paying for the ambulance service.
A few months back, Lee called for an ambulance from the Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya, for his sister Lily, who was in a semi-coma state.
The ambulance arrived within 15 minutes and the hospital charged him RM50.
"With the ‘991’ service, I am not sure which hospital my sister would be sent to.
"I would rather go to a hospital where my sister’s records are kept. In a medical emergency, you don’t want to take any chances," he said.