Malankara Church in India honors ambulance workers
May 29, 2012: A Catholic church in the Southern Indian state of Kerala has organized
a special program to honor workers of an ambulance service who went beyond religious
and political lines to help the needy.
Addressing the function organized by
the St. Mary's Queen of Peace Basilica in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, Major Archbishop
Baselios Cleemis said the “selfless service” of the 108 Ambulance Services teaches
society about the value of life.
Although the workers went beyond any religious
or political motive to help the needy, society often overlooked their services, regretted
the head of the Syro Malankara Church.
These workers never worry about their
life or recognition, but are always willing to save lives, the prelate added. Since
its inception two years ago, the ambulance service has helped as many as 42,000 cases.
K. Muraleedharan, a legislator who opened the function, commended the cathedral’s
gesture and said it was only a small recognition for the great work done by the ambulance
people.
The hi-tech ambulance service (Dial 108) provided emergency medical
relief to 14 people within 15 hours of its launch in 2010. According to the tracking
report, all ambulances reached the spot in most cases within seven minutes.