Ambulance drivers and attendants in Covid fight

Ranchi: At a time when doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital staff are receiving praise from different quarters for their role in the fight against Covid-19, the untiring efforts of a bunch of people are largely going unnoticed. These are the ambulance drivers and attendants who are risking their lives to transport Covid suspects and patients to healthcare facilities.
As per data accessed by TOI, a total of 71 dedicated ambulances, 284 ambulance drivers and attendants have been deployed across the state’s 24 districts to cater to Covid-19 patients. These ambulances are part of the ‘108 ambulance service’ launched by the state government in 2017.
Sumit Basu, the project head of Zitiqza healthcare, said: “As of now, a total of 2,400 Covid-19 patients have been transported in the 71 dedicated ambulances to Covid hospitals across the state. We have also catered to more than 2,000 medical emergencies in rural as well as urban areas during the lockdown with the help of another 227 ambulances, which are earmarked for non-Covid duty.”
On being quizzed about the precautions they take while transporting Covid patients, Basu said: “We have tagged four people with each ambulance on Covid duty and they are provided with protective gear — PPEs, face shields, masks and sanitizers. All vehicles deployed on Covid duty are sanitized and fumigated with 1% hypochlorite solution after transferring a Covid patient as per government guidelines.”
Health authorities appreciated the contribution of the ambulance service. Talking to TOI, Ranchi civil surgeon Dr V B Prasad said: “Transporting a Covid-19 patient in any vehicle is a challenge, as the vehicle needs to be sanitized immediately. Nonetheless, the ambulance service has proven to be a great support in fighting the pandemic.”