THD HelpDesk, Mumbai: A boat-cum-medical ambulance service to be functional soon from Mumbai to Raigad, said the officials of Maharashtra government on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2020. The tender to launch a boat-cum-ambulance service has finally been cleared, however, it was due to be introduced before the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Minister of State for Industries and Raigad Guardian Minister, Aditi Tatkare, the boat ambulance, a speedboat able to accommodate an ambulance to move patients from Raigad or Ratnagiri requiring urgent medical care at Mumbai hospitals, will start between the Gateway of India (Mumbai) and Mandwa Jetty (Raigad) on the mainland.
“This request, made seven months ago, was for this ambulance service as a pilot project to help critical patients from Raigad reach Mumbai hospitals in a short time. A speed boat can cover the distance between the jetty and Gateway in 20 minutes,” Ms. Tatkare said. The journey by road takes at least three hours.” said Tatkare.
The journey takes an approximate hour and will help the patients escape the two-three hours wasted in traffic while traveling from these two areas to Mumbai by road.
An agency, selected by the government, will provide the vessel, equipment, medical supplies, and staff. It will also provide the operational expenses for the project, which will be initially implemented for one year under the supervision of the National Health Mission.
The appointment of doctors, nurses, ventilator operators, etc will be done by the Health Department’s consultation. Apart from this, the financial expenses will be mobilized by the Finance Department and the District
“It will however take at least six months before the service becomes operational. The budget for the speed boat ambulance is expected to be approximately ₹6 crores.” as quoted by The Hindu.
A medical-technological advancement always adds to the progress of a nation. The latest technological advancements like the boat-cum-ambulance service soon to be started in Mumbai can definitely be of significant assistance in the troubled times of a pandemic like the COVID-19.