Bilaspur,CG: Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district administration has extended the ‘Sangwari Express’ the bike ambulance service in the inaccessible villages of Kota block of the district.

The service since introduction has proven to be a boon for the people of these remote villages. The District Collector Awanish Kumar Sharan, states that it is the aim to extend healthcare services to the villages of Kota block through the bike ambulance service. Currently, four bike ambulances are operational, providing round-the-clock transportation to hospitals for those in need.

Due to the challenging geographical conditions of a large part of Kota block, it is often impossible to access these areas by road. In emergency situations, the bike ambulance has become an excellent free transportation medium for villagers to travel to and from hospitals. The bike is designed like a mini-ambulance, capable of transporting a patient to the hospital without inconvenience. It is also free.

Around 1,339 patients have directly benefited from it, including patients from all categories after the service began. The service has reached 385 patients at Shivtarai PHC, 322 at Belgahna PHC, 366 at Kenda PHC, and 266 in Amagaon. Pregnant women from forest areas are transported to centres for institutional deliveries, and postpartum mothers are safely taken home after delivery using these bike ambulances.

It is being used for the regular health check-ups of pregnant mothers, vaccination of children, and treatment of seasonal illnesses.

Roshni from Bagdhara village and Ishwari Gond from Mohli village were appreciative of the service. Both were taken to hospital for institutional delivery.

Mahesh Dhanwad, a 27-year-old from Tuluf Gram Panchayat, was bitten by a snake and was immediately taken to the hospital using the bike ambulance. He is healthy today because of the prompt treatment he received.