July 24: Most of the ambulances in Nepal have normal stretchers and equipment which can transport general patients. Due to geographical conditions, traffic jams, and lack of facilities, many patients die on the way to hospital.

However, some ambulances also provide important services available only in hospitals such as ventilators, patient monitoring machines, syringe pumps, infusion pumps, oxygen concentrators, ECG machines, and ultrasound service. Such vehicles with facilities like mini hospitals are being used in developed countries.

However, would such a convenient vehicle be operated in a developing country like ours? The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority removed any doubt by bringing such vehicles to Nepal.

A multi-service vehicle with the facility to treat a complex situation of patient has been introduced in Nepal for the first time.

Those vehicles will also start service in Nepal in future disasters and help reduce premature deaths. Anil Pokharel, the chief executive officer of NDRRMA, informed that even if the doctor does not arrive, the patient can be treated and monitored inside the vehicle by connecting the doctor through telemedicine service.

He said the vehicle is a mini hospital or a mobile hospital, and he believes it would help save people's lives during disaster. He also claimed that this type of vehicle has been introduced in Nepal for the first time.

The Armed Police Force has been charged with the responsibility pf operating and managing eight big vehicles and eight 'A class' ambulances with such facilities. The government has acquired the vehicle with the management support of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.

This project has been funded by international aid agencies including those from the USA, Britain, Canada and Switzerland.

Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand handed over the keys of the vehicles to Inspector General of Armed Police Force Raju Aryal on Saturday. These vehicles will be kept in each province and the center.

If it is not possible to bring people affected by disaster and those who are seriously injured to the hospital, they can be treated in the same vehicle if they need immediate treatment. Altogether 6 people can be treated on comfortable beds inside the vehicle, while some more patients can be treated on chairs as well.

For a country like Nepal facing the challenge of natural disasters, it is believed that using this vehicle will protect the people affected by disasters from premature death. Nepal is at great risk of natural disasters. Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires continue to affect people due to difficult geographical conditions.

Doctors and nurses can save the lives of the patients by treating and caring them on the way to the hospital.

At the handover ceremony, Home Minister Khand pointed out the need to increase the budget for the disabled and emphasized that every sector should be sensitive to their issues.

Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey expressed his belief that the vehicle with facilities will help save human lives from the crisis. Chandra Prasad Dhakal, senior vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, termed the vehicle a moving hospital.