JOIN USTwo-wheeler ambulances to hit streets on April 15
Bajaj Avenger 220 cc vehicles modified into two-wheeler ambulances will soon hit the streets in the State. These will be the first-of-its-kind government-run two-wheeler ambulances in the country.
To begin with, 30 two-wheeler ambulances will operate in the State, out of which 20 will be in Bengaluru.
Modified by the Bajaj company itself, the two-wheeler ambulance will be equipped with basic drugs that can stabilise the patient till the four-wheeler ambulance reaches the spot. The formal launch is slated for April 15 at Vidhana Soudha, following which they will hit the streets.
Speaking to Deccan Herald on Thursday, Prabhuling Kavalikatti, Additional Director, Karnataka State Drug Logistics and Warehousing Society that enables the procurement, said those wanting to avail the two-wheeler ambulance facility can call ‘108’ helpline. The facility will be managed by EMRI, that handles the existing 108 four-wheeler ambulance service. “The same procedure as in the four-wheeler ambulance will be followed.
However, here, based on the location of the patient, the medical condition and accessibility, a decision will be taken to send a two-wheeler ambulance when the call centre is approached,” he said.
It will certainly come as a relief for Bengaluru with two-wheeler ambulances reaching the patient in time, despite the traffic. The ambulances, that would be carrying basic drugs, will reach the spot in situations where four-wheeler ambulance will take time to reach and help stabilise the patient.
The single-rider ambulance will be driven by a paramedic himself. “The ambulance will not transport the patient. A trained paramedic who can deal with emergencies will ride the bike. On reaching the spot, he will stabilise the patient,” Kavalikatti said.
The paramedics will be given reflector jackets and ISI-certified helmets.
The State government has spent Rs 1.7 lakh on each of the bikes. The cost is inclusive of drugs that the ambulance will carry, the stickering and also modifications. “It took us quite some time to zero in on the design,” he said.