Tough bike ambulances for P’kula rough terrain

Ishrat S Banwait

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Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 6

Medical assistance in tough terrains will soon become a reality. From next week, ‘Motorcycle ambulance’, a unique two-wheeler equipped with major medical facilities, will cater to the needs of those residing in the hilly terrains of Morni and Pinjore.

After seeing its success in Chhattisgarh, Deputy Commissioner Gauri Parashar Joshi wants the facility here. It is one of the only two states, including Karnataka, which have successfully used these ambulances. The Deputy Commissioner said in some hamlets of Morni region, the terrain did not allow ambulances to reach a patient. At times, a patient is not in a condition to walk and getting him/her medical aid becomes an arduous task.

Having worked on the project for almost two months, the administration roped in Hero Motorcycle Company which will provide six modified 150 cc motorcycles for the project. Under its Corporate Social Responsibility schemes, each motorcycle will have a medical kit, including an oxygen cylinder and a detachable stretcher.

The administration will not bear any cost other than fuel expenses as of now. Trained paramedics will be riding the motorcycles and eight will be provided at the outset by Alchemist and Ivy hospitals.

Four motorcycles will be used for Morni region and two for Pinjore in the beginning.

The district administration is urging Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to launch the project on May 13 when he is set to visit the city. The DC said: “For instance, if a person suffers a fracture, a paramedic will provide the patient immediate support and will rush him/her to the nearest PHC (primary health centre)”. The bikes will also be used for vaccination and their peed will be 30 km per hour.

Purpose of bike ambulances

• A two-wheeler driven by a paramedic will reach the tough terrain where an ambulance cannot reach
• Paramedics have to walk long distances for vaccination in hilly terrains where cars cannot reach. The bike ambulances will solve the problem of both paramedics and patients.
• In critical cases, timely intervention is a must. These ambulances will not take much time and will be able to save several lives.