By Anjaly Rajendran
“Kumily Calling” appreciates the service minded people and organisations of Kumily and always highlights their service to the deprived and marginalised sections of society. One such organisation which has been doing yeoman service especially during the COVID Pandemic is Kumily Rural Organization Of Social Service (KROSS).
One of the few areas in which Kumily is not independent is in the field of Medicare and while basic medical services are available in the Town, Kumily lacks advanced care and Specialty Hospitals. The lack of such specialty hospitals is the reason why many human lives are lost at a young age due to delayed treatment. It is to fill this gap that a group of like- minded people living in Kumily Grama Panchayath got together and thus KROSS came into existence on July 17th, 2019.
The vision and mission of KROSS is to reach out to the marginalized people of the society regardless of caste, religion, color and politics; understand their needs and bring them into the mainstream of the society.
KROSS identifies and reaches out to the afflicted who are economically deprived with the help of Asha workers and Palliative care providers of Kumily Gram Panchayath who are in day to day touch with the grassroots.
Within a year of its formation, India was hit by the COVID pandemic and KROSS served the people of Kumily by providing free ambulance services to the needy, oxygen cylinders at low cost. With the help of Asha workers, KROSS volunteers worked round the clock to meet the needs of families affected by Covid by distributing food kits to needy families.
A big problem faced by bed ridden patients during the COVID pandemic was the shortage of oxygen cylinders. KROSS has distributed oxygen cylinders to the needy patients by charging only a nominal fee towards the cost of refilling. Air beds, Medical beds and Wheelchairs were also provided free of cost to the patients subject to availability.
During this time of distress the Peermade MLA. Vazhoor Soman provided one lakh rupees worth of supplies to the afflicted in Koottikal, Kokkayar, Kuttiplangad region based on the recommendations of KROSS.
During COVID, study materials including TV were distributed to the needy students. With the help of KROSS, many nursing students were able to continue their studies by paying the semester fees of students who faced financial difficulties.
Due to constraints KROSS does not provide free assistance to all. While the deprived are provided free services, people who can afford it are charged a nominal cost towards use of services such as ambulance etc. The proceeds from the ambulance service are used by KROSS to purchase medicines for the needy patients.
There are many instances when KROSS’ ambulances have been able to provide timely help and save lives. The recent instance when a little girl swallowed an earring on the night of 17th May 2023 and had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital located 110 kilometres away is a case in point of how KROSS saves lives.
KROSS’ volunteers also work in Kottayam to provide emergency assistance in the Hospitals including the Kottayam Medical College, which is depended upon by most poor and middle class patients.
KROSS’ many services include but are not limited to:
- Free transport of dialysis patients from Kumily Gram Panchayath to the nearest Dialysis center and back home.
- A care home for elderly and bedridden patients.
- Special training for educationally backward children
- Empowerment of widows and deprived women by imparting vocational training and providing them income generating activities.
Special mention must be made of the services of KROSS’ President Shaji Arakkal, Secretary Fa. Littu Jacob and their Treasurer, Biju Kallukulam along with their Project Committee Members Antony Allenchery (Chairman), Majo Karimuttom (Co-ordinator), Biju Paul (Secretary), Bibin Puthan Peedikayil (Treasurer) and Jayakuttan (Office in-charge)
Members of the public can contact Biju Beenas on 9447612273 and Mahan P C on 9447288321 For emergency ambulance service requirements. Dialysis patients in need of support can also contact Jobi Jose (Joint Secretary) – 9037761426
All those who would like to help KROSS in the achievement of their objectives may contact any of the individuals listed above and help them in any manner for indeed KROSS is doing commendable service.
Kumily Calling salutes all the Members and Volunteers of KROSS and wishes them all the very best for all their future projects and activities.
