By Vivek Narayanan
Chennai: On May 1, R Seetha Devi waited outside the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital to admit her 65-year-old mother who had tested Covid-19 positive. After hours, they managed to get R. Vijaya admitted to Government Stanley Hospital, but she died.
To prevent others from struggling like her mother, the 36-year-old woman has started an autorikshaw oxygen service outside the Rajiv Gandhi hospital.
“My mother, who was already under dialysis, would have been saved if we had got oxygen on time,” says Seetha Devi who runs an NGO called Street Vision Social Charitable Trust. They help transgenders, HIV affected women and children and provide free tuition to children in slums among others.
Seetha Devi recalled seeing many patients outside the government hospital in the first week of May as it was over burdened. “Hence I decided to start this oxygen auto service,” she explained.
“We have an autorikshaw that was used to rescue homeless people as part of Kaval Karangal. I fitted oxygen cylinders in it and started the service on May 6. In case someone needs oxygen immediately, my volunteers, wearing PPE kits make them sit inside the vehicle and provide oxygen,” she explained.
She has helped 300 persons until now. “Recently a lady was brought with very low oxygen levels. I made her sit in the autorikshaw and after her levels improved, she managed to get an ICU ward in the RGGGH. The family was very thankful. She reminded me of my mother,” added Seetha.
Apart from this, she also ferries patients, recommended by doctors from RGGGH, to other hospitals and Covid-19 care centers.
Lingaraj from Kundrathur, who was saved due to the oxygen auto, said that he is indebted to Seetha.” My levels had dropped to 72, but I was made to sit in the autorikshaw and I was given oxygen. It has increased to 92,” he said.
Seetha added that she will be happy to help more people. “I am planning to get more auto rickshaws and fit them with oxygen. But I am struggling for money,” she said.
Source: thehindu.com