LAHORE: The newly launched Motorbike Ambulance Service by ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has proved to be a blessing for the citizens residing in narrow streets, congested and remote areas where heavy emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire tenders are unable to reach, a public survey revealed.
Most of the respondents of the survey expressed their utmost satisfaction on the motorbike, its fabrication, tools, medical kits and standard operating procedures of the newly-launched Motorbike Ambulance Service. “It seems like a European service in Pakistan,” said the survey.
According to the information collected through random surveys from different areas of Punjab’s capital, around 95 per cent end users of the service are strongly satisfied with this initiative. Some 32 per cent female users consider it a “unique initiative of the government for general public” as the modern motorbike equipped with all medical facilities, fabricated with general citizenry needs, and driven by a smartly dressed rescuer catches the emergency victim within no time.
Around 44 per cent male above 40 years of age believe Motorbike Ambulance Service is even more beneficial than Dolphin Force of Punjab Police. “Each motorbike of the service is compatible with roads. It is lightweight and easily driven,” said Amir Aziz, a commuter and sub engineer by profession.
Aziz said he personally inspected the motorbike and realised that only such kind of motorbikes were necessary for the roads.
Around 19 per cent respondents, including males and females, of the survey, said that public is viewing this service with dubious eyes as they’re doubtful that “this kind of modern service can be provided to them free of cost without any discrimination”. But that is true. It’s a good deed of the provincial government, the survey said.
Shazia Yasmeen, an emergency victim at Bhaati Gate, said, “Their way of emergency management is simply impressive.” She said that they continue their communication with their Lahore Command and Control System on phone and in the meantime, they stabilise the victim.
“They give smile and say goodbye,” Shazia shared her experience.
A rickshaw driver Farooq Ahmad, while sharing his experience, told Pakistan Today that a speeding land cruiser hit his rickshaw near Karbala Gamay Shah some days back. “I phoned at 1122 immediately. I was engaged on the phone when two motorcyclists appeared from the rear side and stabilized my fractured leg in a way that I did not even feel pain,” he added.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Rescue 1122 Spokesman Jam Sajjad Hussain termed the rescuers driving Motorbike Ambulance Service as the first responders to each emergency. “These guys are skilled, trained and have gone through rigorous hands-on-training under the direct supervision of Turkish and Irish medical experts,” he said, adding that the service has reached the unreachable in an effective and professional manner.
To a query about the fabrication of the motorbike, he said that there were two companies in open bidding, including renowned Honda Atlas, the manufacturer of Honda motorbikes and Ahmad Medix (Life Care). He added that the samples of both companies were approved and financial bids were opened in which Honda’s price was Rs137,000 per motorbike whereas Ahmad Medix’s price was Rs67,000 per motorbike.
Accordingly, the tender was approved by the high power committee in favour of Ahmad Medix. He, however, said that contrary to the facts, some terminated and unfit employees of the service were propagating against the standards and performance of the service among the public through media.
Jam Sajjad Hussain said that this lifesaving service has always encouraged an atmosphere of competition among its related partners through open bidding of aforesaid purchase under the direct supervision of high power committees of the provincial government.