Aid on two wheels: 21 bike ambulances roll out today in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Now, you'll be hearing two-wheelers blare out ambulance sirens! But do ensure they have the right of way, as these bikers would be zipping by to save the life of needy patients.

The two-wheeler ambulances, rolling out on Wednesday, are part of the 'platinum ten minutes' trauma care initiative aimed at reducing deaths due to road accidents. In a move to reach out to patients in emergency situations and to pierce through Bengaluru's infamous traffic snarls, the health department has come up with 21 bike ambulances. The project is in joint venture with GVK EMRI emergency services. The agile nature of bikes will help in overcoming the limitations of plying on narrow streets and during heavy traffic congestion, said health minister U T Khader.

The 108 service call centre of GVK EMRI will decide whether a conventional ambulance or a mobike ambulance should be sent to the spot to help a patient, based on the location and traffic conditions on the stretch.

The bike ambulance, equipped with a medical kit, including oxygen cylinders, will be driven by one paramedic. Over 40 paramedical staffers have been trained in speedy riding.

Areas difficult to access in a conventional ambulance will be taken up by the rapid responder bike ambulances. These can reach the emergency spot to begin critical treatment for patients before arrival of the conventional ambulance.

Apart from Bengaluru,one bike ambulance each will also be made available in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Davanagere, Tumakuru, Vijayapura and Shivamogga districts.

Times View

For a city notorious for its traffic snarls, it is only sound sense that mobike ambulances are entering the fray. With conventional ambulances not always available, it offers service operators the opportunity to weigh options in an emergency case. Studying the case at hand, distance to the location, traffic situation and accessibility, the operator can quickly decide which ambulance to send out. It greatly helps in accident cases, where the initial critical treatment can be offered to a victim in a swift manner. It's also laudable that the government is launching these well-equipped vehicles in the districts as well.

-TOI