Maharashtra to launch motor bike ambulances to reduce mortality and morbidity rates

Mumbai, April , 2016

With an aim to reduce mortality and morbidity rates in an emergency by 20 per cent by providing first aid and stabilizing the situation to the accident victims till an ambulance arrives, the Maharashtra government, through National Health Mission, will soon launch 10 bike ambulances in the state. The tender process to procure 10 motor bike ambulances has already started by the government. 

The 10 bike ambulances will be launched in 4 big cities on pilot basis under corporate social responsibility component. The tender was issued by State Health Society (SHS), Maharashtra/National Health Mission, Mumbai on March 18 to select lowest bidder to operate bike ambulances. The bid will be opened on April 22. 

SHS, Maharashtra and National Health Mission, Mumbai will provide through IDBI bank the capital cost for procurement of motor bike ambulances, equipments, and operational expenses to operate the existing 108 control room/Emergency Response Centre and the ambulances. The turnkey service provider selected through two bid system will have to procure bike ambulances and operate bike ambulance service 24X7 free of cost to the individuals in the medical emergencies. The successful bidder will be responsible to ensure that the bike ambulances are equipped with GPS/GPRS device, lifesaving drugs, one active mobile phone connections of with maximum local coverage, a paramedical staff (emergency medical technician) having GNM/B.Sc Nursing degree with at least two years' experience in handling emergency cases.

Commenting on the initiative, a senior National Health Mission official said, “A considerable number of victims die due to lack of quick response emergency medical service called first responder service (FRS). Two wheeler first responder ambulance can reach to patient/emergency caller immediately even during traffic congestion, slum areas with very narrow lanes or roads. This also decreases present average response time from present 30-35 minutes to 15-20 minutes. Two wheeler bike ambulance with paramedic can reach the incident locations in less time and provide first aid and stabilize the victims' condition till an ambulance reaches. It will save lives of accident victims in traffic prone areas and slums with narrow lanes where it is difficult for ambulances to reach.” Shedding light on the project, he said, “The bike ambulances will use existing toll free number 108, which is being used by EMS ambulance service. On receiving call of medical emergency, Emergency Response Centre (ERC) will communicate with the nearest ambulance and the caller, an emergency medical technician will decide severity of the patients’ condition (if required in consultation with ERC 108), stabilize the patient condition and arrange to take the patient to the nearest health facility/ hospital through (108/102) Maharashtra emergency medical services ambulances. Hindustan Times