Bringing ambulance services within the reach of the needy
The Hindu
NGOs and other organisations take the initiative to check fleecing by operators
Over 10 ambulance services have been made available either free or at reasonable rates in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts with the intervention of officials and non-governmental organisations to put a check on the exploitation of COVID-19 patients. The ambulance owners and drivers are demanding ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 even for a 50-100 km distance on the pretext of personal risk involved in transporting COVID-19 patients, leaving the hapless people with no choice. Non-availability of beds in hospitals and immediate availability of oxygen in ambulances are also said to be the reasons for making hefty payments to the drivers. The charges go up to ₹25,000 for carrying bodies of deceased patients. The Transport Department has fixed rates between ₹1,760 and ₹6,160 based on vehicle model, facilities and distance but they are seldom followed.More Related News
In 2021, five women from Mayithara, four of them MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers, found a common ground in their desire to create a sustainable livelihood by growing vegetables. Rajamma M., Mary Varkey, Valsala L., Elisho S., and Praseeda Sumesh, aged between 70 and 39, pooled their savings, rented a piece of land and began their collective vegetable farming journey under the Deepam Krishi group.