Ambulance Service For Just Rs 11 Per Trip Launched In Odisha's Sambalpur

In view of the difficulties in arranging transportation for patients to hospitals during the Covid pandemic, a city-based social organisation ‘Saathi’ launched an ambulance service for the needy at a nominal charge of Rs 11 on Monday.

The initiative was launched by social worker and businessman Sidharth Saha. The ambulance, which will cater to both Covid and non-Covid patients, is equipped with oxygen cylinder.

"We came up with this idea to ensure people are not overcharged as they were during COVID peak. It is a 24-hours service with two drivers," said Sidharth Saha

ANI

24x7 service

Sanitisation will also be carried out after dropping patients. Two drivers and a helper have been engaged to render 24x7 service. Any person in need can call 9178171999 or 8658829909 to avail the service.

On an average, private ambulances in the city charge between Rs 3500-5000. Under such circumstances, this service will be of great help to the underprivileged patients.

Launched oxygen bank too

Saha said, “If the service gets a good response, we would definitely roll out another ambulance to cater to patients in other parts of the district.”?

"The ambulance will ferry patients from their homes to hospitals- be it govt or private. This 24-hour service has drivers in two shifts and is named after the charitable trust SATHI," he added.

TNIE (Representational)

Earlier in May, Saha had also started an oxygen bank of his own with around 30 oxygen cylinders.

COVID crisis in Odisha

With over 3.32 lakh COVID-19 vaccines administered on Monday (June 21), the total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Odisha has crossed the one crore mark, the state health department informed.

The Hindu

As per a statement, 1,00,25,629 doses have been administered in the state so far, including 81,30,573 first doses. 18,95,056 persons have been fully vaccinated.There are currently 33,698 active cases in Odisha, according to the union home ministry.?As many as 8,40,214 recoveries and 3,590 deaths have been reported in the state so far.