KOCHI: Here is happy news for the residents of the islands in Kochi. In an initiative aimed at ensuring emergency medical assistance for the islanders, Rotary Club of Cochin Smart City, with the support of district administration and local bodies, is all set to launch a water ambulance service.
The service is expected to be operational in three-four months. ''Water ambulances can serve the underprivileged sections of the society, especially the BPL families living in the unserved and underserved areas of Kochi. People living in Kochi's islands are facing a number of issues such as boat wrecks, health-related issues and accidents. Most of the time, some of the victims succumb to the the injuries suffered during these mishaps owing to absence of proper health care facilities and this makes ‘marine ambulances’ in our island waters relevant,'' said V Gopalakrishnan, president of Rotary Club of Cochin Smart City.
''The beneficiary communities can easily maintain these water ambulances after the grant is provided, as Rotarian medical practitioners and nursing staff will volunteer themselves to execute the project,'' he said.
The proposed ambulance boat will be equipped with portable stretcher, oxygen cylinder, collapsible stretcher-cum-trolley, first aid kit with necessary life saving drugs and immunisation kit. The equipment will be operated by a qualified task force consisting of Rotarians and other social workers and maintained by AMC agencies, said project chairman S B Ramachandran.
''The 150 bhp ambulance boat being acquired at a cost of Rs 22 lakh for the purpose is a 21-feet seaworthy powerboat which offers a very comfortable ride even in rough weather. The project is being implemented with co-operation from district administration, local bodies and all other interested parties, thus making it sustainable,'' he said.