Kochi auto ambulances for Covid-19 patients get off to a slow start

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<strong>Launched recently with much fanfare, Kochi’s free autorickshaw ambulances are yet to become popular with Covid-19 patients and their family members.</strong></p>
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The autos are equipped with a portable oxygen cabin, pulse oximeter, and infrared thermometer, and medications and other equipment while the drivers have received special training from the National Health Mission. The service includes transporting patients to hospitals with all necessary equipment and medicines necessary and also facilitating medical staff to reach the patients’ houses.</p>
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Organised in two shifts the ambulance service is easily accessible 24×7 to everyone in the city.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/autorickshaw-ambulances-lead-the-way-across-india-to-ferry-covid-patients-to-hospitals-88337.html">Autorickshaw Ambulances lead the way across India to ferry Covid-19 patients to hospitals</a></strong></p>
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Talking to the New Indian Express, an official informed: “So far we have received less than five calls from Covid patients for the autorickshaw ambulance service.” As there is hardly any requirement for ferrying the patients, the autos are now being used to transport Covid patients to Covid First Line Treatment Centres and to their residence.</p>
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According to the official, one reason for people not demanding this free service could be the lack of awareness of this facility among them. “At the moment, only word-of-mouth publicity is working, with those who have already used the service spreading the word to others,” said the official.</p>
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In fact the drivers on this project too agree that as not many are aware of the project, the number of calls too is low. “Though the project has been rolled out in almost all the divisions, some councillors too are unaware of it. Those who have used the service are pleased with the corporation and the agencies working with the local body. It will take time to pick up,” said a driver, who is a volunteer in this project.</p>
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The project was started by the Kochi Corporation as the usual ambulance services was not able to handle the deluge of Covid-19 cases. Keeping this need in mind, the corporation collaborated with the Ernakulam Jilla Autorickshaw Drivers Cooperative Society and the German Agency for International Cooperation. Together they set up a war room at the Town Hall to coordinate the auto’ ambulance service.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/autorickshaw-ambulances-drafted-to-take-covid-patients-to-hospitals-86212.html">Autorickshaw ambulances drafted to take Covid-19 patients to hospitals</a></strong></p>
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Under the initiative, eight fully-equipped autorickshaws were deployed in eight zones. These zones are Kochi 1 & 2, Palluruthy, Central, Edappally, Palarivattom, Vyttila and Pachalam. As the 24-hour service operates in two shifts, 16 drivers were trained and provided safety kits.</p>
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Talking about the project, the Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar said: “When the project was launched, each division had over 100 Covid cases. Now, the number of cases has come down. There are also reports about the possibility of a third wave in the state. But people won’t have to worry given the facilities set up by the corporation. We have enough hospital beds in the city and are prepared to deal with any kind of crisis.”</p>
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Those desirous of using the auto ambulances can avail of the service by contacting the Covid war room on the phone numbers 9495728416 and 9495728516.</p>