Women to operate two wheeler ambulances in Tamil Nadu

In a first-of-its-kind, Tamil Nadu will now have women paramedical members weaving in and out of traffic on their two wheeler ambulances to provide medical help, drastically reducing the response time.

Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday flagged off the '108' two-wheeler ambulance service here involving an outlay of Rs.70 lakh.

A total of 41 two-wheeler ambulances -- 31 motorcycles and 10 scooters -- have been pressed into service and based on the response, the service will be expanded, the government said in a statement.

According to the statement, the two-wheeler ambulances will have necessary equipment like oxygen cylinders, pulsoxymeter, blood pressure apparatus, glucometer, and digital thermometer among others.

The government said the two-wheeler ambulance is expected to reach an accident spot faster than an ambulance van to provide medical assistance during the first 10 crucial minutes after any accident.

During the first 10 minutes, medical assistance like immobilising the affected parts, resuscitation, providing oxygen, controlling bleeding increase the chances of an accident victim's survival.

On the initial assessment of the accident victim's condition, ambulance van will be despatched, the statement said.

The ambulances on two wheels will be stationed at important road junctions, crowded and narrow localities.