Moamongba, a volunteer for the Free Ambulance Service in Mokokchung. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | June 11
At a time when people are in constant fear and trying to stay indoors to keep safe from the virus, a young man from Mokokchung has volunteered to risk his life for the cause of the people. Moamongba, a 29 year old school teacher, is the lone volunteer for the free ambulance service provided by the District administration and Mokokchung police for COVID-19 related uses in Mokokchung
The ambulance provides free services to the needy patients for transportation from home to COVID-19 hospital. It also transports people who wish to be taken from the hospital or COVID care center to home or those high risk contacts needing to travel to the testing centers.
“I wanted to take a bold step to help society and especially those persons who are in need of a helping hand,” said Moamongba told The Morung Express. “It is a risky job; however, there is joy in helping others and reaching out to the needy. We do not get anything in return, but the warmth and joy we get from the people speaks volume and it is enough to keep me going,” Moa said.
“On an average, the driver and I drop and pick twenty-five to thirty people. Our work starts from nine in the morning and stretches till six in the evening. During emergencies, we are out at ten-eleven at night,” explained Moa while asking about the nature of his job.
“I handle the helpline number and help the driver locate the patients. It is also my job to handle the incoming and outgoing of patients to the ambulance and to sanitize the vehicle after every entry and exit,” he further explained. “Since the nature of the job is risky, I take maximum care and precautions after and during the transportation of the patients,” he added.
Moa also shared his experience about how there were instances where they had to decline to help because of the shortage of volunteers. With Moa as the only volunteer and with just one ambulance, sometimes they are unable to render help as they are mostly fully booked.
“With the rise in the cases in Mokokchung, our help is required more than ever. However, with just me handling the helpline and also lack of transportation, it becomes difficult to meet the demands of the growing number of patients,” Moa added.
“The need to help others comes from the heart. We cannot force people to volunteer. The nature of the work itself makes people doubt and scared. I only wish that more people would come forward to help. We often wait for people to start something but in actuality, it needs to start from us,” Moa concluded.
Mokokchung citizens interested in volunteering for COVID-19 response can contact 8131929284
