SANDAKAN: In the past five months, a self-employed man has helped more than 100 patients get to hospital, free of charge, with his Perodua Kelisa and Myvi cars.
Yunizam Yusop, 30, told the New Straits Times that he was inspired to do so after assisting an elderly woman and her grandchild in November last year.
Yunizam said it was raining heavily when he saw an old woman and a young child trying to cross the road to the Duchess of Kent Hospital and decided to offer them a ride.
“From then on, I toyed with the idea of providing free hospital transport, especially to the poor,” Yunizam said.
“I started to provide the service early this year and advertised through social media platforms such as Facebook. “My friends helped to promote my service and I also put up a car sticker. So, word got around.”
Yunizam said he was overwhelmed by the encouraging feedback from the public, police and hospitals.
In return for helping patients, Yunizam accepts contributions to cover his fuel and car maintenance expenses.
“Throughout these five months, many people have expressed their appreciation,” he said.
“Police personnel help to clear a path through traffic and the hospital provides a parking space for me, so I can transport patients with ease.
“I meet many people, ranging from cancer patients to expectant mothers. “Some have called me for assistance two or three times.”
Yunizam said the furthest he had travelled to pick up a patient was Mile 28, which is about 45km from here.
However, he said, he was saddened by irresponsible people who played pranks on him.
“Sometimes, I get a phone call but when I get to the specified area, the address or place does not exist,” he said.
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