On 2nd January Zomato-owned quick-commerce platform Blinkit launched a 10-minute ambulance service in select areas of Gurugram as part of a pilot project, marking the company’s expansion beyond grocery and product deliveries. The service, which will initially operate with five ambulances, aims to address the significant gaps in India’s ambulance infrastructure, particularly in providing accessible life-saving transportation.
In a statement, Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa emphasized that the service was not designed for profit but to solve a critical issue in India’s healthcare system. The company plans to expand the service to major cities over the next two years. The ambulances are equipped with essential life-saving equipment, including oxygen cylinders, AED (Automated External Defibrillator), stretchers, and emergency medicines, staffed with paramedics, assistants, and trained drivers.
A Stark Reality: India’s Ambulance Shortage
India faces a massive shortage of ambulances, a problem that became glaringly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the growing need for rapid medical intervention, the country had only 17,495 operational Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances as of December 2023, with even fewer Advanced Life Support (ALS) units—just 3,441. This shortage has left many people without timely access to critical medical care, especially during emergencies when every minute counts.
The lack of ALS ambulances, which are equipped with advanced medical tools to handle life-threatening situations, contributes to high trauma-related mortality rates. BLS ambulances, although essential for routine emergencies, lack the capabilities to provide advanced treatments that could stabilize critically ill patients. Moreover, there is a significant disparity in the availability of these ambulances across regions, particularly in northeastern states where ALS ambulances are particularly scarce.
The National Health Mission’s data shows that states are free to propose the number of ambulances they require, but the current numbers fall far short of meeting the growing demand. The India Ambulance Services market, valued at $1502.8 million in 2022, is expected to grow at a rate of 5.12% CAGR from 2024 to 2028, but experts warn that urgent action is needed to improve the situation.
Blinkit’s 10-Minute Ambulance Service: A Step Toward Affordable Care
The 10-minute ambulance service from Blinkit aims to provide a quicker and more affordable solution to the ambulance shortage. The company’s CEO clarified that while the service is being launched at a flat rate of Rs 2,000, the primary goal is to make it accessible to a wider population, particularly those who may be priced out of using more advanced ALS units.
According to Blinkit, the 10-minute ambulance service will cater to those needing basic emergency care, with a special focus on individuals who require immediate intervention. The service is set to expand to more areas within Gurugram and eventually to other cities, addressing the urgent need for better-equipped ambulances.
While this initiative offers hope, it also underscores the broader problem that India faces. During the pandemic, many people struggled to find an ambulance when needed, and in many cases, the high upfront costs of advanced ambulances put them out of reach for a large portion of the population. The introduction of Blinkit’s service provides a much-needed stopgap in a system that needs long-term investment and policy changes.
Government Support and the Way Forward
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday urged quick-commerce companies like Blinkit to ensure that they meet the legal requirements when introducing services like the 10-minute ambulance. While Blinkit’s new service has been welcomed as a positive step, the government recognizes the need for more widespread and sustainable solutions to address the ambulance shortage in India.
The National Ambulance Services (NAS) scheme, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims to fill the gap in emergency services, but more needs to be done to increase the availability of both BLS and ALS ambulances across the country. The current trend of declining ambulance registrations in the years following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic indicates a concerning shift away from healthcare priorities, which could worsen the situation.
As India looks to improve its ambulance infrastructure, initiatives like Blinkit’s 10-minute ambulance service are a step in the right direction but must be supported by both government and private efforts to ensure that life-saving services are accessible to everyone in need, regardless of their location or financial status.
Source of Information: https://indianexpress.com/article/business/blinkit-ambulance-service-9758158/
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