Peruvanthanam: Four women health workers turned heroes after they rescued a fellow passenger who collapsed from a sudden rise in blood pressure during a morning bus ride.
Chandraprabha (48), a resident of Elappara, was travelling on the St George private bus along the Kottayam–Nedumkandam route when she began experiencing uneasiness around 9 am. As she tried to express her discomfort, her condition worsened, and she collapsed inside the moving bus.
Fellow passengers Treasa Dominic, Anu Baby, Nimisha Shevin, and Shubha — all staffers from the Health Department — quickly stepped in. Recognising the signs of a possible hypertensive emergency, they administered basic first aid and instructed the crew to divert the vehicle immediately to the Peruvanthanam Government Hospital.
The women also phoned ahead to the hospital, ensuring that a doctor and support team were on standby. Responding swiftly, the bus skipped all intermediate stops from Kuttikkanam onward and made a beeline to Peruvanthanam Junction, where an ambulance and medical team were ready.
Thanks to their quick coordination, Chandraprabha received timely medical attention from Dr Mathew P Thomas and returned to stable condition shortly after treatment.
The selfless act of these four women has drawn praise from both the public and health officials for their presence of mind and commitment to saving lives.