Blinkit, the quick-commerce platform known for its rapid grocery deliveries, is making headlines for a different kind of speed: its new Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service. Launched last month, the service promises a 10-minute response time, and it's already earning rave reviews, including high praise from Dr. Deepak Agarwal, a Professor of Neurosurgery at AIIMS, New Delhi.
In a LinkedIn post that's going viral, Dr. Agarwal described Blinkit’s ambulance service as a "healthcare revolution India has been waiting for.” He shared a recent experience at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where a patient arrived via Blinkit ambulance, and highlighted the professionalism and efficiency of the paramedic staff.
Dr. Agarwal's post detailed the life-saving care provided to the patient inside the ambulance before reaching the hospital. According to the post, the patient received comprehensive care like:
-C-spine stabilisation with hard cervical collar
-Suctioning done for excessive secretions
-Started on NRBM for low room air saturation
-Rt lower limb splinted for suspected fracture
-Tranexa 1 gm given as low BP documented in the ambulance monitor
-1 L RL given
-Patient placed on spine board
The professor then remarked, "This is the kind of service we used to read about and see in developed countries and is the healthcare revolution India has been waiting for.”
Dr. Agarwal's LinkedIn post has sparked a flurry of reactions, with many praising Blinkit's initiative. One user wrote, "Great to know about Blinkit’s professional handling of a relatively critical patient status. Support systems from private players will help bridge gaps in the healthcare system. You guys are exceptional."
Another commented, "Kudos to Blinkit, it can drastically reduce average response time. Meanwhile, hospitals have to be prepared to reduce ambulance ramping."
However, the service has also raised concerns about affordability. One user pointed out that the Blinkit ambulance service charges INR 2000, questioning whether it's accessible to all Indians and suggesting that the government should collaborate with private players to make such services affordable for everyone.
TBC's Insider:
Blinkit's foray into emergency medical services is a bold move that has the potential to significantly improve healthcare accessibility in India. By leveraging its existing logistics infrastructure and technology, the company is aiming to fill a critical gap in emergency response times, especially in urban areas. However, the question of affordability and equitable access remains a key challenge.