Why in News?

• A day after Blinkit, a Zomato-owned quick commerce platform, announced the launch of a 10-minute ambulance service, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the need for the initiative to adhere to India’s legal framework.
• The announcement has sparked discussions about regulatory compliance, healthcare accessibility, and the state’s accountability in providing basic services.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Government's Caution and Legal Obligations
• Blinkit’s Ambulance Service Details
• India’s Need for Ambulance Services
• Government and Market Dynamics
• Conclusion

Government's Caution and Legal Obligations:

• Compliance with laws: Union Minister Piyush Goyal underscored that Blinkit must meet legal requirements under Indian law, including guidelines outlined in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules and Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 125.
• State-level variations: For ambulances supported by the National Health Mission (NHM), compliance depends on agreements between operators and state governments.
• Concerns raised: Experts have highlighted regulatory gaps and the pressing issue of ambulance shortages in India.

Blinkit’s Ambulance Service Details:

• Service launch: The initiative will start with five ambulances in Gurugram, with plans to expand to all major cities within two years.
• Features and pricing:
  • Each ambulance is equipped with essential life-saving equipment like oxygen cylinders, AEDs, monitors, and emergency medicines, staffed by a paramedic, an assistant, and a trained driver.
  • The service is priced at a flat Rs 2,000 fee.
• Non-profit motive: Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa emphasized that the service aims to address critical healthcare gaps rather than generate profit. 

India’s Need for Ambulance Services:

• Pandemic lessons: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed severe shortages in ambulance services, particularly during emergencies.
• Current landscape:
  • India has 17,495 operational Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and only 3,441 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances.
  • Regional disparities persist, with northeastern states particularly underserved.
• Importance of ALS ambulances: These are crucial for trauma-related emergencies during the “golden hour” and are better equipped for critical care.

Government and Market Dynamics:

• National Ambulance Services (NAS):
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare supports one ALS ambulance per 5 lakh population and one BLS ambulance per 1 lakh population.
  • States can request additional ambulances to address regional needs.
• Market growth: The Indian ambulance market, valued at $1,502.8 million in 2022, is projected to grow at a 5.12% CAGR from 2024 to 2028.
• Registration trends: Ambulance registrations peaked in 2021 but have since declined, indicating reduced focus on healthcare post-pandemic.

Conclusion:

• Blinkit’s 10-minute ambulance service initiative has the potential to address critical gaps in India’s healthcare infrastructure.
• However, ensuring regulatory compliance, addressing regional disparities, and increasing the number of ALS ambulances remain key challenges.
• As private players like Blinkit step in, the government must simultaneously strengthen its healthcare delivery systems to meet the growing demands of the population.