Karnataka: Paramedics on electric scooters to assist deprived patients

MANGALURU: Two paramedics on electric scooters are part of the rapid response team of a private hospital providing quick assistance to patients in need of medical aid. In case of a medical emergency, Krishna Mitras of Shri Krishna Hospital, Kakkinje in Belthangady taluk, will rush to the spot and examine the patient.
Dr Murali Krishna Irwathraya, medical director, Shri Krishna Hospital, told STOI: “The hospital launched four innovative programmes on Saturday. Krishna Mitras is an important project as the paramedics will be able to reach out to needy patients on time.
“The hospital will provide two electrical scooters to the paramedics, who will cover some of the remote places in the four villages — Charmadi, Thotathadi, Chibidre and Neriya. It is a free service launched by the hospital and, based on the condition of the patient, either a medical team will be quick to reach the spot or the patient will be referred to the nearest hospital after arranging for an ambulance. The service will be offered only during the day as travelling in forest areas at night could be a challenging for the staff,” Dr Irwathraya said.
The hospital serves patients primarily living in villages. Meanwhile, Krishna Chaitanya, a paid service of palliative care was launched.
“Since we operate in rural areas, we have noticed that often the elderly parents are alone at home as children are either working in cities or abroad. So in case of a medical emergency and when they have no one to take care of them, they will be provided with a full-time attendant as long as they are in the hospital. This is an extension of the already existing Shri Krishna Yogakshema Cell, which provides home care service to those located in remote areas,” he said. The hospital also launched health cards.