Cabbie drives the ill to hospitals for free

While other taximen left Mumbaiites stranded, Afzal Sheikh (42) ferried patients from Dadar station to hospitals for free on Tuesday. “All of us want a fare hike, but my colleagues are not thinking about how the strike will affect patients,” said the Dadar resident.

While other taximen left Mumbaiites stranded, Afzal Sheikh (42) ferried patients from Dadar station to hospitals for free on Tuesday. “All of us want a fare hike, but my colleagues are not thinking about how the strike will affect patients,” said the Dadar resident.

HT Image

Sheikh took 13 patients to various hospitals. Among them was an aged Gwalior-based priest, who was paralysed after a stroke.

The priest, who identified himself only as Tiwary, was carried out of the station by a fellow sadhu. Sheikh rushed up to them and drove them to KEM Hospital at Parel. He then drove them to Tata Memorial Hospital, after doctors advised the group to go there.

Not all patients found a Good Samaritan. While ones with minor complaints postponed hospital visits, others managed to go by buses, trains or private cars. “Patients with acute problems came by ambulance,” said Dr Shobna Tehra, superintendent of Cama Hospital.

(Inputs by Neha Bhayana)