Bengaluru: Negotiating Bengaluru traffic can be traumatic but the state government has devised a solution, at least for patients needing emergency care. A long-awaited two-wheeler ambulance service was launched yesterday, promising to cut time for patients needing instant response. Equipped with life-saving drugs, oxygen cylinders and trained paramedic drivers, the motorbike ambulances are meant to provide emergency medical care to patients till a fully equipped ambulance arrives. The government promises that 20 minutes is all that will be needed for the two-wheeler ambulances to reach a patient in need.
Karnataka's health minister, UT Khader, told NDTV, "If a pizza can reach in 20 minutes then why can't an ambulance. This ambulance can reach on time and help those who are in need." As of now, 30 of the first responder motorbike ambulances have been introduced in the city. Terming the bike ambulance project as a "platinum 10 minutes" trauma care initiative, Mr Khader said the bikes will useful for negotiating heavy traffic in urban areas where it is difficult for four-wheeler ambulances to reach.
Of the 30 bike ambulances, 21 will be stationed at strategic locations in the city. The service will be offered free. "The paramedic will reach the spot in 10 minutes and give first aid and start resuscitation measures to save the victim till the four-wheeler ambulance arrives," Mr Khader said. Each bike ambulance will carry 40 medical items, including stethoscope, pulse oximeter and IV saline, apart from emergency drugs. The government has spent nearly Rs 2 lakh on each bike ambulance.
One of the paramedic-drivers, Chandru, told NDTV, "We will be able to reach much faster. The bike has immediate first aid. A life can be saved even if the four-wheeler ambulance arrives late." That's a comforting thought considering that the biggest challenge for health services is to deal with the city traffic, which can be life-threatening in more ways than one.