Away from media glare, Saina Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat (SIMS) has been providing the free ambulance 24X7 service to both covid and non-covid patients. So far around 372 patients have benefited from the service.
By Naorem Tanoranjan
Amidst the raging second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Manipur, a health care provider is offering free ambulance service to COVID patients, who are in need of a ride to COVID care centers and also to non-COVID patients.
When private hospitals are fleecing Covid-19 patients in the guise of treating them, good Samaritan Saina Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat (SIMS) has been providing 24X7 ambulance service to both Covid and non-Covid patients free of costs away from the media glare. So far service has been provided to around 372 patients.
SIMS managing director-cum-secretary Dr S Kumar said that many COVID patients are facing problems of transportation when they are being shifted to hospitals or COVID care centers. In view of this problem, SIMS has been providing free ambulance service equipped with a doctor and nurse, 27X7.
If anyone is in need of a ride in case of emergency or otherwise, one can contact SIMS Helping Group contact number: 8837497797 or 9863154726 or 9366683635, he said. Separate ambulances for COVID patients, non-COVID patients and pregnant women are being provided, he added and urged the public not to be worried of mixing up.
Dr S Kumar also urged for help as these ambulances are now in need of Oxygen service. The service is being provided with the sacrifice of the staff, who also have fear for the dreaded virus. He urged the people to cooperate with them as they are doing it in view of the poor in our society.
A member of SIMS Helping Group and also one of the ambulance drivers, Wahengbam Rojen urged the people to cooperate and take the benefit of the service.
Rojen told TFM that Dr S Kumar is sacrificing his salary towards providing the free service. At present there are four doctors, three nurses and three ambulances. Initially the service was provided to Imphal East and Imphal West, but now it covers the valley districts of the state as the demand grew. We are also trying to provide service to hill districts, he added.
Stating that sometimes some people try to force them to touch the patients, he urged them not to do so. The staff also feared the disease, but they are providing the service for the poor, he added.
Of the three ambulances, only one is equipped with Oxygen facility. He urged people to help them in having Oxygen support to the other two ambulances.