Odisha: Ambulance driver happy to serve

Hrusikesh Mohanty | TNN | Updated: Apr 22, 2020, 14:24 IST

BERHAMPUR: Ambulance driver Brajabandhu Nayak continues to ferry suspected Covid-19 patients from their homes to the City Hospital despite the threat of being infected looming large. Since March 27, he has driven eight such cases from Hinjili.
“Though I fear infection, I don’t mind ferrying the patients,” said the 30-year-old Brajabandhu from Hugulapeta village near here.
Brajabandhu makes sure that he takes all precautions like wearing personal protective equipment that includes jackets and gloves. “The vehicle is sanitised every time after a suspected person is transported. I also maintain a distance from the patients,” he added.
But he has a tough time convincing his ageing parents, who are jittery after coming to know that doctors elsewhere have got infected. “They are pestering me to return home,” said Brajabandhu, who has not gone home since the 21-day lockdown was imposed.
While Brajabandhu is responding to his calling, villagers are fearful of helping the suspected Covid-19 patients. Like Brajabandhu, around 27 ambulance drivers are ferrying suspected patients.