In the nick of time

When traffic in the City comes to a standstill, those involved in health-related emergencies are the worst-affected. Keeping this in mind, the government has been contemplating the introduction of bike ambulances in Bengaluru. These will act like the first response team to reach the spot before the ambulance arrives.

The idea has gone down well with a lot of hospitals and the first step has already been taken by a private hospital which has bought its first bike ambulance. Most bike ambulances will be equipped with all life-saving medicines such as IV fluids, minor surgical equipment, oxygen cylinders, nebulizers, pulse oximeters, glucometer and laryngoscope kits. Doctors in the City feel the bike ambulances can treat minor injuries but serve no purpose when it comes to those involved in major road accidents.  “They will be driven by paramedics who will be taking care of the life-saving operation. Once the message of accident is received, the bike ambulance will immediately reach the spot and the paramedics will start the first-aid treatment before the patient is put into an ambulance,” explains Dr Robert Christopher, Chairman of Chris Hospital, which is equipped with a bike ambulance.

It is the ability of a bike to manoeuvre faster through Bengaluru’s clogged roads that makes it is a feasible option, according to Dr Rehan Sayeed, Director, Frontier Heart and Lung Centre in Shivajinagar. “We could save at least 25 to 30 per cent of lives once bike ambulances are introduced in the City. The accident victim could be provided first-aid and cardiac resuscitation if necessary before he or she is transported to the hospital,” reasons Rehan and says that people should be open to the idea.

Most hospitals have a combination of big and small ambulances and Hosmat Hospital is one of them. Dr Thomas Chandy, Chairman and Chief of Orthopaedics, Hosmat Hospital, agrees that bikes can get around any nook and corner of the City in the event of a traffic jam but wonders how essential life-saving equipment can be transported on one? “Our mini van ambulances are equipped with all the essential life-saving equipment but carrying the same on bikes may be a cumbersome process,” he says. He observes that bike ambulances can be used to treat people with an upper arm injury or any other minor injuries but major head and back injuries cannot be treated with a bike ambulance. “In those cases, the patient will have to lie down and be transported in a bigger ambulance. The use of bike ambulance will depend on the nature of accidents,”
he states.

The State Health Department officials confirm that they are finalising the details. A senior health officer with the Department of Health says, “Bike ambulances will be run by an independent body and not be attached to a hospital. It is not compulsory for hospitals to introduce them but these ambulances comprising paramedics will serve as the first response team and be the first to arrive at the accident spot.”