Pune: The ambulance service launched with active support from Sakal Relief Fund has been a frontrunner in providing every possible support to the people of Kashmir Valley to not only sustain the lockdown, but also keep themselves safe from Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
HN Wanchoo Trust with support from Sakal Relief Fund and city-based NGO Sarhad Foundation has been operating a fleet of five ambulances, first of its kind in the valley, since 2015. The project, being run under guidance of Sakal Media Group Chairman Prataprao Pawar, Sakal Editor-Director Shriram Pawar and Founder of Sarhad Foundation Sanjay Nahar, is aiding the healthcare segment in the valley to cope with the burden caused due to COVID-19.
"We have had many lockdowns in Kashmir, but this one was different, because there was a virus involved," Amit Wanchoo said, adding that the trust decided to use the ambulances to help the non-COVID patients who needed to get to hospital for treatments, medicines or follow-up with doctors -- like chemotherapy, oxygen concentrators, dialysis etc in Jammu and Kashmir. The ambulance service is free for those living below poverty line.
Wanchoo, who is a doctor and entrepreneur, revealed how initially, there was very little awareness about Coronavirus and they got calls from Bandipore and Handwara ambulance operators asking what to do if they get a COVID patient. They had no knowledge of PPE kits or other equipment.
Not only were they given full information about the pandemic, they were asked to be prepared for lockdown like withdrawing cash from ATMs, recharging mobiles, and stocking fuel for ambulances.
From March 20, when they started COVID-19 2020 project, they started receiving calls from people for their services.
Total number of patients covered till May 2 is 2,518 from Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Pulwama and Srinagar.
In addition HN Wanchoo Trust also arranged food and dry ration packets for people in various districts of Kashmir Valley and migrant labourers. Kashmir has huge number of migrant labourers in the month of March because of sowing season.
Shabir Sheikh, an ambulance operator from Handwara said this service has become part of his life. "I had always heard in childhood work is worship, Now after so many years I feel this ambulance service is really a great worship. And after saving lives the amount of respect one gets has no limits. I thank God for giving me a chance to serve humanity," he said.
The coordinating team members Dawood Hamal, Divya Kumari, Iqra Jan and Dilshada, along with ambulance operators Shabir (Handwara), Firdous Shah (Srinagar and Budgam) , Farooq Ahmad Wagay and Mohd Yunus (Shadipora and Ganderbal), Abdul Hamid (Baramulla), Fayaz Ahmed Mir (Pulwama) , Mohd Iqbal Ganai (Budgam) and Nisar Qadir Lone (Bandipora) are working tirelessly during this time.
