Shillong, Nov 9: Despite facing difficulties themselves, members of the Shallang Area Traders Association (SATA) pooled their own resources to buy an ambulance for public service in the area.
The vehicle was formally launched by Mawshynrut MLA and cabinet minister Methodius Dkhar in the presence of other guests and SATA president Shiningstar Riangshiang.
Fr Markus Lakra, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Shallang, blessed the vehicle before the launch.
Speaking as chief guest, Dkhar expressed hope that the ambulance would serve people in the area, particularly those in remote villages with difficult road access.
For many families in Shallang, reaching a hospital in time has long been a struggle due to bad roads, long distances and no emergency vehicle on hand.
SATA members said that was why they decided to act on their own.
Shallang has a primary health centre and the government has sanctioned Rs 1.43 crore for a new Shallang PHC building. An AYUSH hospital has also been allocated to Shallang and an AYUSH practitioner appointed. He also informed that Riangdo PHC has been upgraded to a first referral unit (FRU).
