Emergency first responders on two wheelers launched

Taking into account how Bengaluru’s long traffic snarls can be a patient’s worst nightmare during a medical emergency, Manipal Hospitals has introduced Emergency First Responders on Two Wheels, enabling first responders to reach areas of the city with narrow roads or heavy traffic that are often inaccessible to conventional ambulances.

The bike ambulances have been deployed across major high-traffic zones, including Old Airport Road, Indiranagar, Domlur, Halasuru, Hebbal, R.T. Nagar, Nagawara, Whitefield, Varthur, Marathahalli, Sarjapur Road, Yeshwanthpur, Rajajinagar, Malleshwaram, Vasanth Nagar, Yelahanka and Hennur.

The bikes are equipped with life-saving equipment, first-aid kits, portable oxygen cylinders, trauma supplies and advanced portable medical devices such as portable ECGs and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). A compact medical storage compartment is mounted at the rear, with oxygen cylinders and fire extinguishers placed on either side, while a front siren and beacon lights help clear traffic.

Both the rider and pillion rider are provided with special safety helmets with built-in microphones that allow them to stay in constant contact with patients, ambulance staff and hospital emergency teams. To maximise visibility, pillion riders carry reflective emergency backpacks that help them safely manoeuvre through busy streets, especially at night.

When an emergency call is received on the helpline (080-22221111), the emergency room doctor and command centre assess the situation and dispatch the nearest bike ambulance along with a regular ambulance. The bike paramedic reaches the scene first, assesses the patient, initiates immediate care and relays real-time health data to the hospital. Once the regular ambulance arrives, the patient is safely handed over for transport to the hospital.

The initiative was unveiled by U.T. Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare; C. Mallikarjun, Additional Commissioner, Department of Transport; Gyanendra Kumar, Additional Commissioner, Department of Transport; and Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals. The Health Minister also formally flagged off the First Responder Bike Ambulances, marking the official launch of the service.