COVID Warriors: Free Auto Ambulance Service For COVID-19 Patients Launched In Delhi

New Delhi: Amid reports of shortage of ambulances in Delhi and a hefty amount being charged by ambulance service providers, a free auto ambulance service has been launched in the national capital. With auto drivers clad in PPE (personal protective equipment) and ambulances equipped with oxygen cylinders, auto ambulances in Delhi are ferrying moderately ill COVID-19 patients to hospital and home for free. The service launched earlier this week is an initiative of TYCIA Foundation and Sanjay Singh, Leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Also Read: COVID Warrior: Ranchi Auto-rickshaw Driver Ferries People Facing Medical Emergency For Free

The service is available only for moderately ill COVID patients who need immediate medical assistance and are unable to find or afford ambulance service in Delhi. An individual can reach out at the helpline number – 011-41236614 working round the clock and request for an auto ambulance. While speaking to NDTV, Sanjay Singh, Leader, Aam Aadmi Party, said,

People with oxygen saturation level between 85 and 90 require external oxygen and need to be moved to a hospital immediately for further treatment. Various COVID care centers in Delhi like Radha Soami Beas campus take in mild symptomatic or non-critical COVID-19 patients or those with oxygen saturation levels above 85. For such patients, the auto ambulance will come in handy.

Also Read: To Tackle COVID-19 Crisis In Maharashtra and Delhi, Anand Mahindra Launches ‘Oxygen On Wheels’ Initiative

To begin with, a fleet of 10 fully sanitised auto ambulances was launched on May 4 and on the first day, 132 patients were ferried. On May 7, 20 more autos and 10 basic life support ambulances were added to the existing fleet. Soon, Uber will also join the initiative and people will be able to book auto ambulance through the Uber app as well, informed Sarvesh Mishra from the office of Sanjay Singh. What’s important to note is that not all autos are equipped with oxygen cylinders and the kit.

Also Read: Langar Sewa At The Doorstep? The Sikh Community Shows The Way As It Provides Food To COVID-19 Patients At Home

Elaborating on the idea behind the initiative, Mr Mishra said,

There are multiple reasons – sometimes ambulances find it difficult to enter small lanes; some are charging steep rates; then not everyone has their own vehicle to take a family member to a hospital and there is a fear of COVID-19 too. If we look at it from the perspective of auto drivers, most of them are out of work but these people know routes like the back of their hands. So, we decided to bring everything together and help both auto drivers and patients.

To ensure the safety of auto drivers, they have been provided PPE and sanitiser. A protective shield has also been put between the driver and the passenger seat to minimise the risk of the transmission, informed Mr Mishra.

Autos are always parked around hospitals so we have asked them to ferry any healthcare worker or patient looking for a transport and not finding one. Some auto drivers are paid on a daily basis and others on weekly, depeding on the tie-up. The cost of the initiative is being borne by TYCIA foundation and our office. Together, we plan to continue the facility for a month and later extend depending on the COVID situation, said Mr Mishra.

Also Read: Cricketers Yusuf Pathan And Irfan Pathan’s Cricket Academy Provides Free Meals To COVID-Hit People In South Delhi

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.