Mangaluru: A month after launch, bike ambulances yet to get on road


Clement Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 5: It is exactly a month since the launch of state ministry's ambitious bike ambulance service in Mangaluru and Ullal, but the bikes are yet to get on road.

An initiative implemented through GVK-EMRI, the organization that is running the '108 Arogya Kavacha' ambulance service, the bike ambulance service was flagged off by U T Khadar, minister for health and family welfare, at Circuit House on May 5, 2015.


File Photos

The government has spent nearly Rs 2.5 lac on each of the bike ambulances. Avenger 220CC bikes have been modified into two-wheeler ambulances, and each bike carries about 53 life saving drugs packed in its rear top box. A portable oxygen cylinder, glucometer, fingertip pulse oximeter, nebulizer, digital BP apparatus, laryngoscope, masks, roller bandage gauge, and cotton rolls are all available on each of these ambulances.

The major problem hampering the bike ambulance service here is the lack of trained personnel to operate the bikes.

When Daijiworld contacted Dr Ramakrishna Rao, DHO of Mangaluru, about the non-functioning of the bike ambulance service, he said, "I have already talked to the programme manager of GVK-EMRI. One batch of bike ambulances has been selected and trained already. We need professional people who are able to do the job and within this weekend we are expecting two technicians to arrive in Mangaluru and start the job. They will be able to ride the bike and respond effectively during any accident. One bike ambulance will be stationed under MCC limits and another in Ullal."

He further said, "Bike ambulances are very useful, especially in interior regions where there is no access to four-wheelers. The bike will carry all the emergency tools, first aid kits, and pain relief drugs. In case the injury is serious, they will be responsible for summoning the four-wheeler 108 ambulance. The reason for launching the bike ambulance is to stabilize the patient by providing first aid.

"The minister is in touch with us and he has promised to provide trained technicians soon," he added.

"The bike ambulance is capable of reaching the spot within 20 minutes after receiving the call. The 108 ambulance is providing excellent service to the people and so many lives have been saved. If there is a need, we will increase the number of bike ambulances for Mangaluru," added Dr Rao.

On asked a question about the strike planned by 108 ambulance staff, he responded, "They have given an application urging fulfillment of their demands and threatened to go on strike if it is not done. They want salary hike, salary payment on time, and a few other demands which they have placed before the health ministry. As of now, the 108 ambulance service is functioning normallly."

Minister U T Khadar was not available for response despite several attempts to contact him.

 

Clarification

Soon after Daijiworld published this report, Mohan Patil, regional manager (operations) for 108 ambulance service (for nine districts including Dakshina Kananda) contacted daijiworld and said that the bike ambulances have started operating from June 4.

"The bike ambulance service has started with effect from Thursday June 4 afternoon. Two bike ambulances are presently stationed, one near Ullal police station, Thokkottu and another near city corporation Lalbagh, Mangaluru. Both the bike ambulances are equipped with emergency medical technicians (EMT) and other facilities. One can avail the bike ambulance service by calling 108," he said.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • G. P. Shetty, Kundapur

    Sat, Jun 13 2015

    The equipment needs a trained nurse. Ordinary riders can't be employed for this. Instead of bikes the same equipment can be in fixed kiosks 10 x 8 feet at all accident prone spots. Police dept will have the stats.
    If it's in a fixed spot then nurses can rotate shifts easily.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Sun, Jun 07 2015

    Shankar, Mangaluru

    Good calculation indeed but where are the bike ambulances?

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jun 06 2015

    Avenger 220CC bikes : Rs. 90000.00
    One portable oxygen cylinder: Rs. 6000.00
    Glucometer : Rs. 3000
    fingertip pulse oximeter: Rs. 18000.00
    nebulizer : Rs 3000.00
    digital BP apparatus : Rs 4000.00
    laryngoscope: Rs 5000.00
    roller bandage gauge, and cotton rolls etc: Rs 5000.00
    ‘Life saving Drugs’ : Assume Rs. 50000.00

    Total is 2.50 lakhs!! Hope my mathematics is right!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • yogesh, mumbai

    Sat, Jun 06 2015

    Maybe they are waiting for Khader bhai to do the honors...ha ha!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash, Surathkal

    Sat, Jun 06 2015

    Kaarbaar Khader!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • santhosh, Mangaluru

    Sat, Jun 06 2015

    No need to get on road. Photo-op is good enough.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, Hirebile/ Abu Dhabi

    Sat, Jun 06 2015

    I can't understand LOGIC behind Bike Ambulance....It may Ministers Ambitious Project ...but i may not Serve full purpose of Ambulance....instead of having 100 bikes better to Have few Air Ambulance ( Helicopter) to cover some region...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Many people don’t like when we write something against Khadar Bhai but ultimately he too belongs to same Dongi CONGiss Party only…. One month is over now but still Ambulance Bike yet to come on road!!!! But surprisingly none of our CONGiss Lovers talks about the delay

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, NY

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Someone is desperately trying to derail this ...

    DisAgree [11] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marle, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Yes, it should be the railway minister.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Sun, Jun 07 2015

    May be Obama from Mapusa!!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • vinay, manglore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    rather commenting negetively use the provided service from govt. every one commenting on pizza, half an hour and all.. know the value of life u id**ts.. speak responsibly. u will come to know the importance when some body in your family face some emergency.. support amulances service, live way to ambulance...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • vinay, manglore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    rather commenting negetively use the provided service from govt. every one commenting on pizza, half an hour and all.. know the value of life u id**ts.. speak responsibly. u will come to know the importance when some body in your family face some emergency.. support amulances service, live way to ambulance...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • suresh shetty, mangalore/mumbai

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    nice concept along with bike ambulance concept add some auto ambulance would be far beneficial specially road accidents u can save the person if nearby vehicle is not available specially village areas and that helps to take sick people to hospital also.that may be beneficial to needy people who seeks emergency treatment were u can save lives.and some more people get job opportunity also.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdul sattar habiballah, moolur/jeddah

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Guys at least encourage the task of Mr. Hon'ble U.T.Kader because if you no need this service at least needy people can get advantage of this first aid services.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marle, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    I found both these guys at a trekking spot with their bikes !

    Selling Ice Candy!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • VM , Udupi

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Pizza hut dagul la kenond ether pandudu la suddi ethund ge?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marle, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Andh! 30 mins ijjinda free ge!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Peetarre...15 lachha ireg baija? aavu yencha aapundu!Eer yereg votu guddudini?Misteek aatunda panded!!

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • vellano1, Mumbai

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    nana avvu barrela ijji.. gram panchayat election poora aand! .. undula Hair hemblens lekka ne kathe aapundu.. namma Feku daala kammiya! ...vhe vhe vhe

    DisAgree [7] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    bike poyi rail aayi! vhe..vhe..vhe..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, Udupi

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    100% correct anna. 15 Lakshada vishaya atha avu nana baryarene ijji.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Peetarre...15 lachha ireg baija? aavu yencha aapundu!Eer yereg votu guddudini?Misteek aatunda panded!!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    Nice concept taken from Israel, great initiative. All the best.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangaloean, Mangalore

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    For this project government used tax payers money but why the hell this govt. using their photos in bikes...

    DisAgree [21] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Homer, bharat

    Fri, Jun 05 2015

    yes..i agree...govt spending crores on advertising ek saal anek kaam..that is NOT good..showcasing their work or the lack of it to people with people's money

    DisAgree [11] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: A month after launch, bike ambulances yet to get on road



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