After three months of investigating the Public Health Minis-try's ambulance procurement scheme, an independent fact-finding panel has found that at least three major components in the ambulances were faulty.

One was the "spinal board" or backboard used to immobilise and transport patients, said Dr Panya Sonkom, who chaired the inquiry panel.

The panel has made six inde-pendent investigations. It was set up in November to probe corrup-tion allegations - as recommended by the Office of the Auditor General.

The ministry had purchased 232 ambulances for state hospitals.

The panel randomly examined about 5 per cent of all ambulances, focusing on 49 parts: 25 in the vehicles and 24 in the medical equipment and accessories.

The spinal board was not as strong as it should be and not for-tified by polyurethane "as speci-fied", said Panya, while the "stair" or evacuation chair did not use the required nylon sheets. The blood sugar test kit also lacked a "lancet holder" - a pen-like device used to draw blood for testing.

The panel's conclusions have already been forwarded to the Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla, who ordered the inqiury, he said.

Mongkol said he has yet to study the investigation reports in detail. But he said: "Any item found to be incorrect must be changed."

When asked if it was anyone's fault, Mongkol said he sympathised with the committee who had to check and receive the ambulances because it was not easy for them to find the defects with the naked eye.

Mongkol said Health permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongwiroj would decide if a probe was needed to find those responsible.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation