100 auto ambulances available in service of Covid19 patients in Pune
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune based autorickshaw forum, Baghtoy Rickshawala – a group having 2-3 lakh members across Maharashtra and 12,000 members in Pune have taken up the task of providing autorickshaws for needy patients who cannot afford exorbitant charges of ambulances to reach hospital. Out of 100, three autorickshaws are equipped with oxygen cylinders too.
The remaining autorickshaws are getting equipped with oxygen cylinders in the due course of time. The forum members have invested money from their own pockets to provide this facility to the needy patients. Also, the autorickshaws have disposable O2 masks which can be used by those opting for oxygen cylinder facility.
Speaking to Pune Pulse, Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, president, Baghtoy Rickshawala forum, he said, “Using the facility of Oxygen cylinders is completely upto the patient and documents showcasing the urgency of oxygen must be carried. Also, the charges for using oxygen cylinder is NIL for those who really cannot afford, but nominal charge of Rs 100 each for oxygen cylinder and disposable O2 mask shall be levied for those who can afford.”
Kshirsagar further said that the initiative was taken to support the auto drivers going through financial crisis. We have given them some standard SOP’s for them to be followed for their safety. This initiative will help the auto drivers to earn and pay off their debts too.
Another member of the forum, working as vice President, Ashish Opalkar said, “We have autorickshaws from Loni Kalbhor, Moshi, Dighi, Dehu, Vadki, Katraj, Alandi, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad city who have enrolled in this initiative as on today. We have many requests pending. We are assuring that the autodrivers should remain safe and getting their anti gen tests done too.”
When asked about the expenditure on the basic facilities such as PPE kits and masks, oxygen cylinders, hand gloves, Kshirsagar said we are looking for some crowdfunding to raise money for all this. We are receiving help in other ways too such as people directly helping us with PPE kits, masks, etc.
He further said that at present we have kept only one helpline number where people can book for it and get the autorickshaw at their doorstep within 15 minutes.
Dr Kshirsagar said we hve trained the auto drivers in using oxygen cylinders by asking experts to demonstrate its use.
Citizens looking to avail this service can call on 24 hour helpline 9657289411.
