Thiruvananthapuram: A study conducted on autorickshaw drivers around Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) offering free or concessional rides to cancer patients has been selected for a podium presentation at World Cancer Congress in Hong Kong next week.The study, conducted by city-based oncologist Uddiptya Goswami, documents the unrecognised role of 25 autorickshaw drivers in helping cancer patients have easy access to treatment. They have been quietly offering free or concessional rides and other assistance to patients and their caregivers for at least the last two decades.The survey found that nearly two-thirds of the drivers transported at least six cancer patients or caregivers every week. Around 65% said they offered free or reduced-fare rides often or almost every time they identified a cancer patient.Their support extended beyond fare concessions. About 60% said they had provided emotional support or waited for the patients without charging additional fees. However, the service came at a financial cost. Nearly 72% of the drivers reported losing some income due to the concessions, with 28% describing the impact as moderate to severe.Most drivers surveyed were middle-aged men and primary earning members of their families. Around 80% operated mainly within a 10-km radius of RCC.“The strongest motivation for helping patients was a personal sense of social responsibility, while spiritual beliefs and personal or family experiences with cancer were also cited as important factors. Despite receiving little formal recognition, 92% of the drivers said they would be willing to support more patients if facilities such as priority parking and fuel vouchers were provided,” said Dr Goswami.The study idea emerged from a chance encounter. While travelling in an autorickshaw, Goswami noticed a pamphlet offering free rides to RCC patients. His conversation with the driver revealed that more than 25 drivers were involved in providing such assistance.One of them, S Rajkumar of Manacaud, has been offering the service for nearly a decade. There were 56 such drivers at one time, but the number dwindled as sponsors stopped supporting the initiative.Rising fuel and operating costs made sustaining the service increasingly difficult. Rajkumar said the demand was high, with 10 to 15 cancer patients reportedly reaching Petta railway station every day to be transported to RCC. For the drivers, the initiative has become an expression of compassion and community responsibility, even as they struggle to keep the service running.
