NHM director issues orders to have an eye on the staff having drink during duty 

Haryana is reeling under the acute cold these days which has affected all spheres of life. Due to the increased cold, fog and frost, there is spurt in the accident cases which is a matter of serious concern requiring people to drive carefully. But contrary to this, people are driving even after drinking alcohol, due to which the lives of other people are also getting at stake. Amid this, what came to surface is that several drivers who are posted on the ambulance service under the National Health Mission (NHM), carrying patients have been reported drunk during a few last years. In wake of this, the NHM have issued directions stating that the concerned officials at district level are required to procure Alco meter or breath analyser for medical examination and random checking of the drivers and emergence medical staff (EMS) during the night duty but it has been observed that the medical examination of the drivers and the EMS is not being done which is a clear breach of the norms and in view of this, officials are subject to stern action. It is learnt that the several staff members on the way to hospital halt to have a drink which is a matter of serious concern. What orders further contain is that the alcohol remains one of the most common causes for accidents during the night. In a bid to reduce alcohol related accidents, there is a need to conduct random checking of staff posted on ambulances for alcohol use during the night shift through enforcement of random alcohol screening of drivers and EVM. Therefore, the concerned officials are to constitute a team to do a random medical examination of the concerned staff. Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 provides that if it is detected in a breathalyzer test that the driver of a motor vehicle has in his blood alcohol exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml. of blood, he shall be punished for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months or with fine which may extend to 2000 rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, if committed within the 3 year of commission of previous similar offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years or with fine which may extend to 3000 rupees or with both