The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the entire globe including India’s snow crown – Kashmir. The state is widely dependent on tourism for its survival and has been badly hit with the nationwide lockdown. In such a scenario, the most beloved Dal Lake which is world-famous for its houses and hotels built on boats known as Shikaras has had a difficult time. The worst affected are the ones who were infected with the virus as it is difficult to travel across the waters to reach medical aid.
This is exactly where Tariq Ahmad Patloo, a houseboat owner from the lake comes into the picture.
Patloo thought of the concept of floating ambulance service when he tested positive for Covid-19 two months back and needed help to visit a hospital. Post infection, he was completely ostracized and had to suffer a lot to reach medical aid as nobody was ready to row him to the other side where the treatment was available. With much difficulty, one of his friends helped him.
“At that time when I tested positive for coronavirus, nobody came forward to help me except my friend who provided me a boat to reach the hospital. It hurt me a lot and I decided to make the special floating ambulance on boat aimed to help thousands of dwellers who are living in houseboats,” he said to ANI.
“People of Dal Lake are facing dozens of problems including health-related issues and they are not getting proper treatment at the time of emergency. So this floating ambulance which is under process will play a vital role to save the life of dwellers of Dal Lake ever in future,” he added.
The first-ever boat ambulance service will be equipped with all the necessary health facilities and is expected to benefit thousands of people living in the area.
“The ambulance will provide proper health services to people during an emergency. I will try my best to keep all basic facilities including oxygen cylinder, ECG, Oximeter, wheelchair and stretcher, and a toll-free number written on it so that people can contact easily,” Patloo said.
Riyaz Ahmad a mechanic of the ambulance boat further informed that the vessel was made up of wood and iron sheets and it will be 35 feet long and will have six feet of space in the middle. Residents have welcomed Patloo’s initiative and called it a much-needed move.
“There are many incidents on the Dal Lake in which doctors say that if the patients come before 3 to 4 minutes, he could have saved his life. This facility will save time to reach a hospital. It will be helpful to tourists as well because during peak tourist season thousands of people from across the world visit the valley. If they fall sick, they need treatment. Now we can provide them timely treatment through this facility,” said Bilal Ahmad, a boat dweller.