Teacher turns auto-driver to ferry COVID-19 patients for free

A Mumbai-based teacher has turned into an autorickshaw driver to ferry COVID-19 patients to and fro their home and hospital free of cost.

Mumbai: At a time when the country is facing an unprecedented crisis, a Mumbai-based teacher has turned into an autorickshaw driver to ferry COVID-19 patients to and fro their home and hospital free of cost.

Dattatraya Sawant, an English teacher at Dnyansagar Vidya Mandir School, has taken the onus on himself to ferry poor COVID-19 patients from their home to the hospital and back home. He has driven 26 patients and their relatives so far.

"I help COVID-19 patients to get to the free COVID-19 centres, hospitals, as well as drive the discharged patients from the hospital back to their home. I take all security measures.

Due to a rapid surge in the number of cases, people are finding it difficult to find ambulances. Many are dying because they do not get timely treatment. Many cannot afford private ambulances. So, I decided to reach out," Sawant said.

He said he will continue his service until the pandemic comes under control.