Asia's First Bike Ambulances hit the streets of Bangalore

Asia's first bike ambulance- 'First Responder Bike' hit the streets of Bangalore on 14th April, 2015. Health minister U.T. Khader. launched 30 units of such ambulances, terming the project as a “platinum ten minutes” trauma care initiative. He also said that his department is working for introducing air ambulances in the State by this year end. These motorcycles flagged of for operations on 15th April by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah in function held at the front of Vidhana Soudha.

The First Responder Bikes have been made on the Bajaj Avenger 220 motorcycles with an overall investment of Rs. 2 lakh on each, including the cost of motorcycle. Apart from the 53 basic drugs, these bike ambulances carries 40 medical equipment, including pulse oxymeter, stethoscope, bandages and IV normal saline. Bike riders are trained paramedic with a driving licence, who can give a proper first treatment to the patient. These two-wheeled ambulances are capable to reach their patients stuck in congested areas or roads within the heavy traffic in lesser time compared to the four-wheeled ambulances.

Health Minister U.T. Khader said, “The paramedic will reach the spot in ten minutes and give first aid and start resuscitation measures to save the victim till the four-wheeler ambulance arrives." These first 30 bike ambulances will work alongside the existing 711 ‘Arogya Kavacha’108 Ambulances, placed at hotspots in the cities. 21 will be stationed at strategic locations in the city and one each in the districts of Mysore, Mangaluru, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Davangere, Tumkuru, Vijayapura and Shivamogga.