200 motorcycle ambulances join Rescue 1122 fleet

It will pilot for two weeks in the city and the complete service will be launched by year end

LAHORE: In yet another step to improve healthcare facilities in the province, Punjab government launched the motorcycle ambulance service on Tuesday.

PML-N supporters  filled the tent set up inside Rescue 1122 office near LOS Ferozpur Road during the inauguration of motorcycle ambulance service, by the passing-out cadets, who had moments back taken oath to serve the ailing humanity throughout their service without discriminating of cast, colour, creed or any political affiliation.



Under the project, about 900 motorcycle ambulances will be running throughout the province. However, initially around 200 ambulances have been included in Rescue 1122 fleet in Lahore.

Inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the motorcycle ambulance service would pilot for another two weeks in the city. “The complete service will be launched by the end of this year,” said Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer while addressing the ceremony.

These motorcycles ambulances are equipped with foldable stretcher, trauma kits, burn kits, automatic external defibrillators, portable oxygen, pulse odometer and glucose meter. In Lahore, according to these rescuers, these ambulances would reach narrow streets in the old city areas to provide patients with first response.

“For patients in critical conditions, these emergency medical technicians on motorcycle ambulances will carry the patient out on a stretcher to the point accessible for ambulances,” said Dr Naseer. He added that for now, these motorcycles would travel in pairs.



Dr Naseer said the scope of Rescue 1122 would be extended to all the tehsils by the end of this year. “Our response time is in accordance with the international standards and more than five million people have been rescued till Tuesday,” he said. He also administered oath to the staff of the new service.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister said this was the first-of-its-kind motorcycle ambulance service introduced in South Asia. He added that in case of emergency, the motorcycle ambulance service would provide immediate rescue and first-aid in congested localities and narrow passageway.

Shehbaz said some of the political elements were involved in levelling baseless allegations and misstatements. “You cannot run metro bus service in Peshawar as no work has been done there, but you are conspiring to deprive the citizens of Lahore from Orange Line Metro Train. Do not snatch the right of latest transportation facilities from the people of Lahore.”

Swedish Ambassador and a delegation of Turkey also attended the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion international expert on healthcare Edward Jorge Burn said the service was a unique initiative of the Punjab government to facilitate the people during health emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2017.