Bike ambulances to speed up emergency care response in the Delhi

In its latest health Budget, the Delhi government, apart from announcing more number of beds in the hospitals, has also assured the introduction of 'First Responder Vehicles'. These will include bike ambulances to deal with the problem of congested lanes and provide emergency services to patients in remote locations as well.

The introduction of the ambulances, which was to happen in January this year, got delayed. Now in the first phase, a total 16 bike ambulance will be rolled out in East Delhi, which houses some of the most congested areas in the city.

The idea to introduce these bike ambulances was introduced in a meeting attended by Lt-Governor Anil Baijal, Health Minister Satyendra Jain and medical superintendents of major hospitals. The statement released after the meeting had said that to avoid delays in emergency services because of congested roads and increased traffic jams in the city, these First Responder Vehicles will be introduced.

"The bikes will at least have a 200cc engine to make sure that they can take the load of a pillion and a first aid kit. It is easier for the heavy bikes to reach any given location even during the monsoons," an official said.

"As we are focusing on a green budget, we will make sure that these bikes do not cause further pollution in the city and thus getting green bikes, like 'green buses' is also an option, though the plan is not yet confirmed," he said.

The 16 FRVs will have trained ambulance manpower to reach all the narrow streets in the shortest time span. Apart from this, the Delhi government, in its recently released budget also announced 1,000 Mohalla clinics, of which 160 are already in place, with a budget of Rs 403 crore. Mobile van clinics will also be placed across the city with a budget of Rs 15 crore.

The government has now also directed all private hospitals and nursing homes to provide cashless treatment to medico-legal victims of road accidents, acid attacks and thermal burn injuries.