Raipur: Sangwari Bike Ambulance: A new era of health facilities in forest areas

In the villages located in the remote forest areas of Kota in Bilaspur district, those days are over when no one could get health facilities due to inability to reach the hospital. Now the villagers are getting quick health services through the public welfare schemes run under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai. In the remote and inaccessible villages where it is not possible for ambulances to reach, bike ambulances are now running smoothly on the roads of the villages adjoining the forest. Bike ambulances are proving to be a boon for the Baiga, Birhor tribals living in the forest villages. 4089 patients have been taken to the hospital so far through four bike ambulances.

Whatever the weather, be it summer, rain or winter, tribals are getting the facility of bike ambulance round the clock. Due to difficult geographical conditions, it is not possible to reach a large part of Kota block by road. Bike ambulance has become a good means of free transportation for villagers to go from home to hospital in emergency situations. Sangwari Express is like a mini ambulance built in a bike, in which a patient can be taken to the hospital without any inconvenience. This is a completely free facility. Bike ambulance is proving to be a lifesaver for pregnant women and others living in remote forest areas of Kota block.       

Since the bike ambulance facility started in the development block Kota in the month of March, 4089 patients have got direct benefit from it till now. Patients of all classes are included in this. 1108 patients in Shivtarai PHC, 850 in Kurdar, 1310 in Kenda, 821 patients in Aamagohan have got the facility of bike ambulance.

Bike ambulances are also being used for regular health checkups of pregnant women, vaccination of children and treatment of seasonal diseases. Pregnant women from forest areas are brought to the centre for institutional delivery through bike ambulances and lactating mothers are also safely taken home after delivery. Villagers thank Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai for this facility and say that where earlier they used to reach the hospital for treatment by walking several miles and facing many difficulties, now with the availability of bike ambulances, difficulties do not come in their way and patients are being immediately taken to the hospital without any delay. Mrs. Manisha of Manjgawa was brought to Kenda Hospital for delivery through bike ambulance, she says that due to this facility, I and my child are completely healthy. 35-year-old Mrs. Mandakani of Chhatauna was also brought to Kenda Hospital through bike ambulance. She thanked Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai for this facility and said that this facility is proving to be life-saving for the tribals.