Blinkit Starts 10-Minute Ambulance Service

Zomato-owned Blinkit has made a significant move to revolutionize emergency healthcare by launching a 10-minute ambulance delivery service in Gurugram. This initiative aims to tackle the severe shortage of life support ambulances in India, a critical issue highlighted during emergencies.

Starting with five ambulances, Blinkit’s service is equipped with essential life-saving tools, including oxygen cylinders, AEDs (automated external defibrillators), stretchers, suction machines, monitors, and emergency medications. Each ambulance is staffed with a paramedic, an assistant, and a trained driver to ensure professional care during emergencies.

CEO Albinder Dhindsa announced the launch on January 2, emphasizing that this service was not created for profit but to fill a pressing gap in healthcare. The service is priced at a flat rate of ₹2,000, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Dhindsa also shared plans to expand the service to major cities across India within the next two years.

This initiative comes in response to India’s evident ambulance shortage. Data from the National Health Mission (NHM) indicates that as of December 2023, India had only 17,495 basic life support (BLS) ambulances and just 3,441 advanced life support (ALS) ambulances. The pandemic underscored the critical need for improved emergency medical services.

Blinkit’s initiative represents not only a business expansion beyond groceries but also a vital step toward addressing this healthcare gap. By prioritizing accessibility and affordability, the service seeks to bridge the divide between patients and immediate medical care, especially during the critical “golden hour.”