Indian Oil Corporation alongwith Gauri Foundation (NGO), facilitated by Indian Army have donated an ICU Ambulance at Machhal, Kupwara.

 A large number of villages in the UT of J&K are situated in remote and far-flung areas. One such area is Machhal Bowl (consists a total of nine villages). Civil populace in Machhal Bowl is deprived of basic infrastructure like education and Medical facilities. In addition to the above, Machhal Bowl remains cut-off from the main stream for five to six month during winters due to heavy snowfall from Nov to Apr every year.

 Within a fortnight of its establishment and the first heavy snowfall of the year in the area, the ICU Ambulance has been able to assist at least three critical patients by evacuating them to Public Health Centre, Kupwara approx 60 km from Machhal Bowl. The evacuees include Mr Gulam Mohammad Shah, age 80 yrs who suffered severe chest pain and breathlessness and was in critical condition, Mr Shakib Khan who was having breathing disorder and was unable to consume food / liquid diet and Mrs Hafiza Begum, age 48 yrs who is batting cardiac ailment for last three years, had suffered a heart attack and an immediate medical attention was required to save her life.

 Due to heavy snowfall in the area, the Machhal bowl was cut off from Kupwara town with approx three feet of snow accumulated on the road. The ICU Ambulance is kept ready for such eventualities at all times and has been able to save precious lives. In addition to the above mentioned three patients, the following individuals were also evacuated under extreme climatic condition by the ICU Ambulance:-

            Habib Mohd Khan (62 Yrs)                        -           High BP and Breathlessness.

            Fatima Begum (65 Yrs)                   -           Chest Pain.

            Mohd Yusuf (73 Yrs)                       -           Mild Heart Attack.

Ijaj Ahmed Khan (52 Yrs)               -           Severe bleedings on head after an Injury                                                                                   due to fall.

                        The efforts made by Indian Oil Corporation and Gauri Foundation (NGO) with assistance from Indian Army by placing an ICU Ambulance at Machhal Garrison has become a ‘Ray of Hope’ for the people of Machhal Bowl.  Human life is considered to be the most valuable of all and saving a human life is a noble cause.