For whom can KMC’s ‘bike ambulance’ be most useful?

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Oct. 18: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched a ‘bike ambulance’ service to ensure that trained healthcare personnel can reach patients quickly during emergencies, particularly in situations where four-wheeled ambulances may be delayed by traffic congestion.

Sunita Dangol, Acting Mayor of KMC, inaugurated the service at Kathmandu Plaza by handing over the bike ambulances to ‘Nepal Ambulance Service’ on Friday.

During the launch, Acting Mayor Dangol stated that the primary purpose of the bike ambulance is not to transport patients to the hospital, but to rapidly deliver trained emergency medical personnel to the patient’s location.

She further said that KMC introduced this service to ensure that skilled personnel can reach the patient quickly, crucial during the ‘golden hour’ when lives can be saved. According to officials at the KMC, the bike ambulances will be staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) trained in emergency healthcare.

Upon reaching the patient or the scene of an incident, they will provide first aid and necessary interventions to prevent the patient’s condition from deteriorating further.

While the healthcare personnel administer first aid, a four-wheeled ambulance will arrive at the scene. Subsequently, the patient will be transported to a hospital for further medical treatment.

KMC officials also clarified that the bike ambulance is not a replacement for a four-wheeled ambulance; it is not intended for transporting patients to the hospital. 

Instead, it will serve as a means to rapidly transport essential healthcare personnel to the scene of an emergency to save a patient’s life.

This service is also expected to reduce the death rate occurring at home or at the scene of an incident.

Healthcare personnel with a ‘Red Bag’

Under the bike ambulance, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) will carry a “Red Bag” containing the materials, tools, and equipment needed for primary and emergency care.

This bag will also hold the first-aid supplies a patient needs immediately.

Deepak Kumar KC, Chief of the Health Department of KMC, said that the plan to operate bike ambulances originated from the creative vision of Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol.

Stating the expectation that citizens would derive direct benefits from this initiative, he mentioned that plans for further development and expansion of the service would be formulated following a review of the pilot phase.

“In many of Kathmandu's alleys, it is impossible for four-wheeled vehicles to enter. This service will be particularly effective for residents living in narrow alleys or areas prone to heavy traffic congestion. It could also prove beneficial for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities,” said KC.

Although the service is more effective for residents living in narrow alleys, it is useful for all. He further said that the service would be exemplary for other local governments as well.

According to Dr. Anil Shrestha, Chairperson of the Nepal Ambulance Service, citizens could have their lives saved through this emergency health service, which is being operated with investment from the KMC.

How to avail of service

KMC officials stated that the service can be accessed by calling 102 in the event of illness or emergencies.

A bilateral agreement, signed between the KMC and NAS, is expected to be highly effective in areas prone to traffic congestion and within narrow alleyways.

Furthermore, it is said that the service is available in all areas of the Metropolitan City. Meanwhile, the KMC has also been operating door-to-door healthcare services targeting senior citizens and people with disabilities.

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