In a first of its kind initiative in Asia, the Karnataka Government on Wednesday launched “First Responder Bikes”— a new bike ambulance service to help the patients in congested areas. These bike ambulances are equipped with first-aid kits and oxygen cylinders while the rider will be a trained paramedic. The 30 bikes, launched alongside the already existing 711 ‘Arogya Kavacha’ 108 ambulances, are placed at hotspots in the cities and will reach to the patient within “Platinum 10” minutes.
According to Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader said, “The paramedic will reach the spot in 10 minutes and give first aid and start resuscitation measures to save the victim till the four-wheeler ambulance arrives.” Each bike ambulance will carry 40 medical items, including stethoscope, pulse oxymeter, bandages and IV normal saline, apart from 53 basic drugs. The Government has spent nearly Rs. 2 lakh on each bike ambulance.
According to Health Minister out of the 30 bike ambulances, 21 will be stationed at strategic locations such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Davangere, Tumakuru, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, during the flagging-off of the bike ambulances said, “With the population in urban areas increasing, there is a growing traffic problem and due to this the ambulances are not able reach the spots on time. The bike ambulances can pitch in at that time.” The bike ambulance service is being implemented through GVK EMRI that runs 108 ambulance services.