Manipal Hospitals has launched a two-wheeler emergency response service in Bengaluru to help medical teams reach patients faster in congested areas and locations where conventional ambulances may face access challenges.
The initiative, titled Emergency First Responders on Two Wheels, involves specially equipped bike ambulances deployed across several high-traffic areas of the city, including Old Airport Road, Indiranagar, Domlur, Halasuru, Hebbal, Whitefield, Marathahalli, Sarjapur Road, Yeshwanthpur, Rajajinagar, Yelahanka and Hennur.
Each bike carries essential emergency medical equipment, including first-aid and trauma supplies, portable oxygen, a portable ECG and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The vehicles also feature emergency lighting and sirens, along with dedicated storage for medical supplies.
The service is designed to work alongside conventional ambulances rather than replace them. When an emergency call is received through Manipal Hospitals’ helpline, 080-22221111, the emergency room doctor and command centre assess the case and identify the nearest available first responder.
The bike paramedic is then dispatched to the location along with a regular ambulance. The first responder can reach the patient ahead of the ambulance, conduct an initial assessment and begin emergency care. Relevant patient information is communicated to the hospital emergency team while the conventional ambulance makes its way to the scene.
The responders are equipped with communication-enabled helmets to maintain contact with patients, ambulance personnel and hospital teams. Reflective emergency backpacks are also used by pillion responders to improve visibility while navigating busy roads.
The service was formally launched in the presence of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader, Additional Commissioners C. Mallikarjun and Gyanendra Kumar from the Department of Transport, and Dr H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Hospitals. Khader flagged off the first responder bikes at the launch event.
