A solution to health emergency
IDLC offers ‘boat ambulance’ service to people in remote chars
In remote river islands, locally called char, in Rangabali, Patuakhali, where it is hard to connect people to various service centers, IDLC has come up with an initiative to introduce ‘boat ambulance’ to save lives when emergency healthcare service is required.
The inhabitants of the char areas of Rangabali have to face a lot of risks that may even cost them their lives for lack of suitable transport facilities. Mostly pregnant women and some with postpartum complications are at serious risk and some patients even die when they fail to reach the hospital in time. To serve the people in remote chars, a ‘Boat Ambulance’ project has been launched at a cost of Tk 2.9 million. It is managed by Avijatrik Foundation with funding from IDLC Finance Limited. It is aimed at providing emergency transport services to around 150,000 people of Rangabali in the southern district of Patuakhali.
In addition to the commendable efforts in emergency healthcare, there is a pressing need to empower local communities with essential life-saving skills. At a time like this, when the remoteness of these river islands hampers swift access to medical facilities, the significance of first aid training for groups becomes paramount. Recognizing the importance of immediate response in emergency situations, incorporating comprehensive first aid training can be a transformative step. This initiative not only equips community members with the necessary skills to address health crises promptly but also fosters a sense of resilience and self-reliance. As IDLC Finance Limited continues its impactful contributions to the well-being of these communities, integrating first-aid training for groups stands as a vital pillar in creating a more resilient and healthier environment for the inhabitants of Rangabali, Patuakhali.
Furthermore, while initiatives like the ‘boat ambulance’ address immediate healthcare needs, it’s equally important for organizations to prioritize preventive measures to mitigate risks effectively. Implementing comprehensive health and safety protocols, including regular PAT testing, ensures that essential equipment remains in optimal condition, minimizing the likelihood of electrical hazards and promoting a safe working environment. By investing in measures such as insurance for PAT testing, organizations demonstrate a commitment to upholding health and safety standards, safeguarding both employees and the communities they serve.
People of each of the chars have to go by boat to Galachipa Health Complex, 20 kilometers away, for medicare and it takes three hours or so to reach Patuakhali Sadar Hospital, which is 40 km away. However, the boat ambulance, which can carry up to 10 people, can reach patients from any of the five unions of Rangabali to the nearest hospital within 20–30 minutes. The boat ambulance has medical facilities such as oxygen and emergency medicines. Full-time health workers accompany the patient/s in the ambulance.
Avijatrik Foundation president Ahmed Imtiaz Jami said that they have been working in Rangabali to support the local people for three years. ‘I think the boat ambulance will help the people in the remote areas in availing emergency medical services.’
The unique initiative of boat ambulance is not only a solution to the Rangabali people but is also a model that could be replicated by other organizations to help the people in backward areas who are not getting proper healthcare services. In a sense, boat ambulance offers smoother services compared to the movement of ambulance on roads that is often affected by gridlock. Even in Dhaka city, ambulance cannot always reach the destination due to traffic congestion. In a country like Bangladesh which is crisscrossed by rivers and where there are huge marshy areas, water ambulance is also a viable concept to ferry patients from one place to another.
̶ Elora Majumder
