Fire and rescue service ensures supply of medicines across Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Fire and rescue service in the state is showing an exemplary model to the world by diverting their force for ensuring the supply of lifesaving drugs to a large number of families across the state. Nearly 22,000 persons have so far made use of the voluntary service of the fire and rescue force to gather emergency medicines.
The free service is being availed by all sections of people across districts in Kerala.A large number of people are depending on the fire and rescue service for getting lifesaving drugs, which are not available in local medical shops. “Persons suffering from cancer, renal ailment and other diseases are contacting us and we are doing our best to provide them medicines at the earliest,” said R Prasad, technical director fire and rescue department. This lockdown period has also given us an insight into the struggles of a large number of families for purchasing medicines, he said.
The fire and rescue personnel are not just delivering medicines at the doorsteps. Instead, they are also coordinating with charitable trusts and volunteers to sponsor medicines for financially backward families.
“Many of our staff are delivering medicines even without out collecting the price of the medicines on noticing the pathetic condition of some families,” said Prasad.
He also narrated the experience of one of his subordinates Mithun of Cherthala fire station. The head of the family was struggling due to lung disease and his 10-year-old girl was suffering from diabetes. When the medicine was delivered the girl handed over a bundle of coins to pay Rs 250, the price of the medicine. “Our staff did not collect the money, instead he assured them support in the future also,” said the official. Our new role is helping us realize the trauma of the downtrodden, he added.