KSRTC launches ‘ICU on wheels’ in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: To help Covid-19 patients, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Wednesday launched ‘ICU on wheels’ in the city.
The 'Sarige Suraksha' (ICU on wheels) is equipped with five oxygen beds, patient monitoring devices, IV line, provision for ventilator, emergency medicines and backup generator. KSRTC’s inhouse team built this facility at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.
Deputy CM and transport minister Laxman Savadi flagged off the bus in front of the KSRTC headquarters in Shantinagar. Savadi said 12 ‘oxygen on wheels’ (buses with oxygen cylinders and concentrators) by four road transport corporations are deployed in places like Bengaluru, Chitradurga, Chikkaballapur, Kalaburagi and Belagavi.
Savadi said 'oxygen on wheels' will be extended to all districts by four-state-run bus corporations if NGOs and hospitals come forward.
He said, “We could provide oxygen to 6-10 patients per bus. This will reduce rush at hospitals. These buses could be parked near hospitals.”
Savadi said that buses and drivers will be provided for free. “The NGOs are required to provide medical staff and equipment.” Those interested could contact the state-run bus corporation.
“A Hyderabad-based firm expressed interest to launch ‘oxygen on wheels'. We are in discussions with the health department to implement this so more people across the state could reap benefits,” he adds.