Medical emergency? This village is ready

Ludhiana: While it is challenging for the government to ensure healthcare facilities in rural areas, the residents of Ghalib Kalan village of Jagraon have taken it upon themselves to ensure adeqaute medical facilities in the village.
The village has two ambulances courtesy the funds donated by the NRIs and pooled in by some residents.
The ambulance service, which is run free of charge by a committee called Sarbhat Da Bhalla ensures timely treatment and access to medical facilities.
The village sarpanch Sikandar Singh said the villagers were fortunate to have two ambulances that provide free transport to and from hospital in case of all medical emergencies, from accidents to labour pains.
The village head stated that they had acquired the ambulances with the funds donated by the NRIs and pooled in by some of the villagers and there was no gosvernment involvement in the process.
Parwar Singh, a villager, said the villagers felt the need to get an ambulance after 18 people were killed in a collision between a train and a bus in nearby Chur Chak village in 2007.
Parwar Singh stated that the free service is being operated by a committee, Sarbhat Da Bhalla.
Wakeel Singh, a member of the committee that runs the free service, stated that the committee comprises 11 members and one of the members who is not occupied with any work, drives the patients to the hospital.
“One of the ambulances is equipped with a oxygen facility. Dr Satnam Singh, who runs a clinic in the village, provides us help. We take patients to hospitals in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Faridkot and even Bathinda for treatment,” said the committee member.
“On a daily basis, we take 4-5 patients to nearby hospitals,” he added.
Manpreet Singh Goni, another committee member, said the ambulance was of great help during the Covid pandemic. He stated that driving the ambulance with patients is a service for them and they feel pleased to serve the needy.
Meanwhile, Hriday Pal Singh, a Canadian-based NRI from the village, stated that they wanted the villages to have adequate infrastructure and facilities, including better healthcare and were willing to extend help.
Many villagers who have availed the free ambulance service are grateful to the village.
Chamkaur Singh, whose brother Gurmail Singh suffered injuries in an accident recently, said they were grateful for the service as his brother was transferred to the government hospital in Jagraon and then to private hospital in the town. He stated that they were grateful to those who run the service as well as those who helped obtain the ambulances.
Village panch Lakhvir Singh said the village has a population of around 10,000, and around 60-70% of the villagers are NRIs. He stated that NRIs also provide assistance to needy patients.