Blinkit ambulance raises concern about shortages of life support units in India

India’s quick commerce platform Blinkit is making headlines for launching a 10-minute ambulance option. It comes as the company is looking to expand beyond groceries and other items. Blinkit has launched 5 ambulances in Gurugram.

Making the announcement on January 2 on X, CEO Dhindsa underlined that the option is not launched keeping profit in mind. The goal is to expand to all major cities across the country in the next couple of years.

Blinkit ambulances carry essential life-supporting equipment, including oxygen cylinders, automated external defibrillators, stretcher, monitor, suction machine and essential emergency medicine and injections.

Ambulance in 10 minutes.

We are taking our first step towards solving the problem of providing quick and reliable ambulance service in our cities. The first five ambulances will be on the road in Gurugram starting today. As we expand the service to more areas, you will start… pic.twitter.com/N8i9KJfq4z

— Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) January 2, 2025

Blinkit ambulance: Profit is not a goal here

Each Blinkit ambulance has a paramedic and an assistant to ensure the highest quality of life support in time of need. This option is being carefully scaled up. Blinkit is going to operate the ambulances at an affordable cost for customers.

Profit is not a goal here. Nonetheless, Blinkit ambulances are highlighting the stark reality of the state of ambulance options in India. This option has become difficult to obtain during critical medical needs. Many people are also troubled by sometimes high upfront costs.

The COVID pandemic noted the stark shortages of ambulances across the globe, including in India. Many people in need of immediate medical care struggled to access the option. The high cost in crucial times also make ambulances inaccessible for many.