Government ropes in IIT for bike ambulance in hilly terrain

BHUBANESWAR: Here is a piece of good news for people living in inaccessible pockets of the State on the World Health Day. They would soon have the facility of an advanced-version of medically equipped bike ambulance to transport patients.The State Government has roped in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar to develop a technology which, once fitted with bikes, can comfortably carry patients from difficult-to-reach areas to hospitals or till motorable points and provide swift medical assistance.Perturbed over frequent incidents of patients being carried on cot, the Health and Family Welfare Department has urged the IIT to develop the one-of-its-kind two-wheeler ambulance and upgrade the existing stretchers.

While the inaccessible villages in the State have been provided one stretcher each, people find it difficult to carry patients in hilly terrain as they slip while ascending or descending. Health officials also feel the bike ambulances available in the market is not commutable in the hard-to-reach areas.“Healthcare for all and everywhere is our motto. The State Government has already launched a number of schemes for improvement of healthcare and delivery mechanism. We have urged the IIT authorities to come up with an innovative technology which can solve the problem of transportation of patients in inaccessible villages,” said a Health official.

Recently, the Health officials held a discussion with the three-member team from IIT-Bhubaneswar led by Head of School of Mechanical Sciences Satyanarayan Panigrahi. They have been sought to submit a proposal soon and come up with the technology within three months.  IIT-Bhubaneswar Director RV Raja Kumar said the Health Department wants the IIT to develop a two-wheeler ambulance which can be operated in narrow lanes and different terrains. “They want it within three months and we have agreed to make it,” he said.

Since there is a strong need for developing such technology, Raja Kumar said upgradation of stretcher is a simpler thing, but the bike-operated ambulance is a little challenging. “There have been some development in this regard, but it should be commercially workable which is why the support of IIT has been sought. Our mechanical engineering department will make it possible. The proposal will be ready in a week,” he added. This apart, six boat ambulances will soon be deployed in Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Kendrapara districts where a sizeable population is surrounded by large water bodies like rivers and reservoirs.