Get Well, Fare Well

Living close to a Highway, got me more ‘used-to’ couple of things. ‘Ambulance siren’ is one of them.

In India, Tamil Nadu tops charts on Road Accidents. Tamil Nadu tops charts on ‘Responsiveness’ to Ambulances too. While there are different vehicles, 108-Government Ambulance, 1066-Apollo Ambulance, then there are the other Hospitals running their own Ambulance services, ranging in their equipment and services; and of course, their Costs. Even scan centers, such as Arthi Scans, run their own Ambulances. Thinking in terms of the more-important Timing, or in cardiology parlance, ‘Golden-Hour’, Ambulance in any form is Good.

There is another debate going on in this state, as to whether the 108’s can carry the patients to Private Hospitals. In another part of the country, one State Government is facing charges on corruption in running Ambulance services. On another dimension, there are Ambulance accidents because of its over-worked drivers. Given the state of corruption we have witnessed on different fields, I earnestly believe at least Emergency services such as Ambulances, will be spared from all kinds of corrupt practices. All these need long-term solutions.

My discussion is focused here on the need for humane-feelings and its effect during Emergency. As general-public, when I hear this siren, my insides go topsy-turvy. The siren sounds like the typical SOS expression in Tamil, “Aiyo Aiyo Aiyo Aiyo Aiyo Aiyo”, repeatedly – in an endless loop.

I imagine the insides of the vehicle; typically, a person lying; an attendant -probably the person’s closest aide – a daughter or son or wife or a friend or brother – controlling ones self; to take control of the situation in hand. Grieved and melancholic, with a very heavy heart. Imagination runs double-time if I happen to see blood stains or tears in the attendant’s eyes. Recounting and relating the past events in my life, personal emergencies that had affected me. Getting into the attendant’s shoes, trying to empathize by doing so. I get so obsessed with these thoughts that sometimes my entire day is lost thinking about every possible eventuality. 

I start praying for the person inside the vehicle. My God, give Them your Grace. Nothing should have gone wrong. Should be able to recover soon. From the inside, I yell at people in front of me, ‘Hey, Make Way for Them, Make Way for Them’. As if I have said it aloud, they indeed make way for the vehicle to rush-through. I am thoroughly sure that there are many amongst us – almost every one, who think and feel on these lines. I am sure, all of us collectively pray for Get Well, Fare Well of the person inside. I have seen the Police who are so indifferent to the public, on many occasions, becoming extraordinarily sensible when it comes to clearing the traffic for the Ambulance. There are some bikers who go behind them, to avail of the vent – out of the mad traffic. I learnt they too are termed ‘Ambulance chasers’. They too, I believe are praying for the Recovery. In all of this, I see collective prayers, for the person inside the Ambulance. Hypothetically, those who have found a place in the Ambulance are running the highest chances and are sure to win their battle with Life. Such collective prayers can never fail. I am sure statistics will substantiate this claim.

What matters most is Get Well, Fare Well of the person inside. Let’s continue our prayers, together, as always.