Changing city: Mumbai to soon get Khilkhilat ambulances to drop newborns, mothers at homes

* Maharashtra minister for women and child development Mangal Prabhat Lodha, in October last year announced that Mumbai would get five Khilkhilat ambulances for newborns and their mothers.

* The vehicles are specially designed keeping in mind the comfort of the newborn baby.

*It has been noticed that newborn babies start crying due to the sound of a siren, so this ambulance will have a unique sound like ‘Khilkhilat’.

* The first set of vehicles will be launched in the suburbs of Mumbai, and would be later extended across Mumbai based on the success of the five ambulances.

Features of the ambulance:

– Air conditioned
– Comfortable seating arrangement for mother and relative
– Baby care system including cradle and play apparatus
– Colourful curtains and specially designed interiors
– Ceiling and floor to be non-permeable and resistant to disinfectants used for cleaning
– Portable oxygen cylinder of 2.2 litre capacity
– Storage for first-aid and nursing kits
– Roof to have revolving light, fire extinguisher and siren
– Partition between drive and patient compartment

Status:

– Tenders have been floated for procurement of ambulance vehicle

Aim:

– Pollution-free commute for newborn babies
– Upgrade the health infrastructure of Mumbai

What BMC says:

“Newborn babies are extremely sensitive and get easily affected by their surrounding environment. In the present scenario where there is a high amount of air and sound pollution, shifting the babies from hospitals to their homes is a very critical phase. It has been proposed to design a vehicle that is completely insulated to avoid hazardous gases and other materials,” said a BMC officer.