• More than 1,000 Force Traveller ambulances have been supplied to Andhra Pradesh to help fight coronavirus
• Force Motors has stated it has developed in-house capability to manufacture and supply a variety of ambulance types
• The ambulances comply with the recently introduced National Ambulance Code

Due to a surge in positive COVID-19 cases anticipated with the easing of the lockdown, state governments and local administrations are going all out to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in their jurisdictions. Pune-based auto major Force Motors has supplied over 1,000 ambulances based on its Traveller range in its fight against COVID-19.

Force Motors says it has supplied the Andhra Pradesh government with over 1,000 ambulances, including 130 advanced life support ambulances, 282 basic life support ambulances and over 656 mobile medical units. The mobile medical units delivered to Andhra Pradesh are also equipped with COVID-19 screening facilities and can be accessed by the citizens by dialling 104.

The automaker has also stated that it has developed in-house capability to manufacture and supply a full range of ambulances that are ready to use from day one. These models will also comply with all the provisions of the recently introduced National Ambulance Code.

The code defines a type B ambulance as a basic ambulance that is meant primarily for transport of patients who do not require any treatment while in transit to the hospital. A type C, or Basic Life Support, ambulance is meant for transporting patients who require basic monitoring while in transit and may require non-invasive airway management.

A type D, or Advanced Life Support, ambulance is equipped to treat critical patients requiring intensive monitoring and invasive airway management. The advanced life support ambulances have an in-built provision to mount lifesaving equipment like a defibrillator, transport ventilator, blood pressure monitoring apparatus, scoop stretcher and spine board, among others, that could be required to treat critically ill patients while on the move.

In addition, Force Motors says it also has the capability to supply mobile medical units that can function as primary health centres in remote locations, providing consultation and treatment. In order to fight this pandemic, the state governments and local administration are planning to have a mix of all types of ambulances so that they can be deployed as the situation warrants.

Prasan Firodia, MD, Force Motors said, “The ongoing pandemic has suddenly highlighted the inadequacies in our healthcare system. It is very heartening to see that local administrations and state governments are responding quickly by upgrading their public health delivery systems. We are very happy that the government of Andhra Pradesh reposed their trust in the proven and reliable range of Force Traveller Ambulances and look forward to support such initiatives in other states”.

Dr Abhay Firodia Group has also earmarked Rs 25 crore to support various COVID-19 relief activities by supporting upgradation of health care infrastructure and facilitating mobile clinic/testing capabilities that have treated over 10 lakh patients during the lockdown period.