7 websites that are changing the way you book an ambulance

Like many things Indian, searching and booking an ambulance is as difficult as swimming out of a quicksand. But like many things Indian (the innovative ones) there are some good souls who have taken this upon themselves to solve this issue. In this article, we will look at 7 websites that are making it easier to find and hire an ambulance.

Have you been scratching your head and messing up your hair in your quest for finding ambulance directories in India? We have been doing the same as well. Finding a B2B platform when everyone is going berserk over providing direct customer service is nothing sort of a herculean task. But what good is our effort if it can’t help you out? From the depths of the google, we have unearthed some of the best-known websites that list ambulance providers. Here are the best 7 ambulance directory or hiring sites in India. Check it out. (psst: see the disclaimer at the end of this article)

• Murgency.com

It is a cloud platform and mobile application which connects people facing a medical emergency with the closest validated Emergency Room / Ambulance / Doctor / Nurse / Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Founded in 2014 by Shaffi Mather, MUrgency was incubated out of Stanford ChangeLabs. Since its founding, it has received a lot of funding from various well-known names like Ratan Tata. Initially launched in Punjab, it is soon expected to go national.

Also the founder of Ziqita Healthcare Ltd., Shaffi says, ‘’ MUrgency is the next step in transforming emergency care. Today, you can get a first responder in our launch market in under 10 minutes”.

• STANPLUS Powered ambulances

They provide 24/7 emergency and medical transportation support. With a fleet of 180+ ambulances, they guarantee that they can provide patient support in 15 minutes across Hyderabad. Their ambulances are equipped with advanced life support and Basic life support. They also deal in cardiac and patient transport ambulances.

It is an aggregator which dispatches lifesaving services in Hyderabad. It also allows everyone in the emergency response chain to view live updates and coordinate lifesaving efforts with peace of mind, thanks to its one-share platform. It also recently raised $1.1M from Kstart and others.

• Ambee

 

They have the distinction of being backed by Uber. Like them, it too intends to position itself as the premier ambulance hiring platform. Their philosophy is simple – since it takes a cab 5 minutes to arrive and an ambulance 40 minutes to arrive, we need to change that. Though presently available in select cities, they are thinking of spreading out.

They are similar in design to AMB life. Their mobile and location-based technology helps ambulance owners track and manage their fleet. By virtue of using their technology, these ambulances become part of an online network, easily accessible through multiple ways – phone calls, apps and websites. Their solution enables the nearest, appropriate ambulance serve a critical need.

• Dial4242

Operated by Health Wheels Pvt. Ltd, the Dial4242 app is currently available on Google Play. It allows users to book the nearest available ambulance and track its location in real time, a feature the startup claims sets it apart. Just as with cab-hailing apps, the customer can see the estimated fare before the trip starts and pay via a digital wallet. Dial4242 has four ambulance variants: basic; ICU or cardiac; pediatric, and transfer of dead bodies.

• AMB life

AMB life is a B2B online platform that allows private ambulance service carriers around the globe to register their ambulance and other ancillary services on its platform. People can choose services based on country, state, city or even their own location. Both air ambulance as well ground ambulance can be booked based on their rating and review.

Apart from that it also provides the option to book ambulances for corporate functions, private events, film shootings, and pets. Their USP is simple and interactive GUI which makes it easy for both private ambulance providers to register easily and patients to choose quickly.

• MeduLance or LifeHover

They claim to be India's first, GPS based technology platform designed for fast and reliable first point medical attention. With an increasing emphasis on promoting independent living today, having access to the nearest ambulance to you can provide much-needed peace of mind in a worst-case scenario.

They strive to provide high-quality, clean ambulances at competitive prices within minutes, assisting the everyday superheroes to reach the patients faster with the help of an easy and simple format. They are of the view that, “We believe that ambulances should be able to help you when it matters!”.

• eSahai

eSahai is a flagship product of MyInd MedTech Innovations Pvt. Ltd.” which is a technology based start-up organization created to offer a range of Health Care Services to the Urban and Rural population. eSahai provides an integrated state-of-the-art technology platform for providing Emergency Medical Services, Specialty Diagnostic Services, Data Analytics and Value Added Services to patients and other consumers in the eco-system.

We also found that among all major cities in India, Hyderabad is way ahead as far as ambulance aggregator business is concerned. This might have to do something with its startup funding networks. Most of the names mentioned here either are limited to Hyderabad or are functional around it. Except for AMB life which is engaged in purely B2B aggregation and aims to spread across the globe, most are based on and around big cities.

Are you still searching for ambulances? Try this sites. It might make your task easier.

Disclaimer: The list is not in any priority order. The numbering is inconsequential. Furthermore, the description of each platform has been taken from its website, to maintain the authenticity of their claims. In any instance of plagiarism regarding the description or quote, the copyright belongs to the website in reference.

This is a sponsored article written originaly for AMB Life.

M-ICU ambulance: Where to get them in time of emergency?

Where do you go to seek an ICU ambulance service in the time of critical emergency? What has been your experience? Awful I guess. The state of ICU ambulance services or MICU in India is ‘just working’ at the best and ‘largely missing’ at worst. Nothing hurts more than the experience of not being able to find an ambulance in critical situations. The reason for all this mess – aloofness of service providers and inaccessibility of their services. Even if you are able to carve one out, the quality of service leaves much to be desired. So what’s the root of problem? And where’s the solution?

The root of the problem is the marketing model and strategy. Most of the ambulance service providers have a single aim of focusing on more and more people. This forces them to be centered only in areas where population is high. This has at least two shortcomings. One, more ambulance carriers concentrate on a small area and competition gets ruthless and two, remote areas are left almost untouched. While this is an issue for companies, the patients have their own reservations. First, they can’t really make out which one’s the best. Second, though numerous it is still very difficult to find and contact one of the ambulance providers. It takes lot of time. But don’t despair yet. The situation has begun to change. Few newer companies are focusing not on customers but accessibility to customers.

AMB life is one of them. Instead of going after the numbers, they stayed their focus on companies. To improve availability and quality, it envisions an online portal where different private ambulance providers can come and register their main services like air ambulance or ground ambulance or ICU ambulance and ancillary services like hearse van, oxygen systems, etc. It seeks to build an interconnected web of ambulances all over the globe; a one stop to find all services associated with ambulances and medical emergencies. It also allows for an effective feedback mechanism by providing customers with option to review and rate the services so that the inferior ones can be rooted out easily and only the best are available. To improve accessibility, it allows customers to search for ambulances based on their location. Visit them once and see if they are worth the trouble. In case of an emergency, every little help is a bliss.

9 Benefits (and reasons) of forging a B2B partnership in ambulance operations

With most of the new (and old) entrants in the ambulance aggregator business focusing on B2C, they are losing a chunk of the profits available in B2B. In this article, we explain 9 benefits of (and 4 reasons for) being in a B2B ambulance aggregator business – for both ambulance operators and the aggregator.

AMB life - The latest entrant to B2B ambulance model. Image Credit: AMB life

The state of ambulance services in India presents a grim scenario. While three out of five are deemed as unfit for use, the remaining are two little to reach even the recommended WHO standards. With so many ambulance operators why is the situation not improving? In some states, the number of ambulance per one lakh person is way above the WHO standards (see image below) but still they fail to reach people in times of need. The case in point is Karnataka. Though there are more available ambulances than the recommended standard yet people find it difficult to get them when they are most needed. In this article, we will explain the reason behind this and the way forward.

Number of ambulances per 100,000 people. Image credit: downtoearth.org

The usual (and unusual) suspects

Have you been through a situation when you desperately needed to book an ambulance? If you have been, you are not alone. All of us have been through this one time or the other. But each time, we have encountered the same problem – where’s the ambulance? Such is their availability that hardly a day passes by without a story of failed ambulance service. But what’s the real problem? With so many healthcare startups, government and private ambulance operators in the business of making ambulance accessible, why is that it’s still out of bounds of many? There are few usual suspects. Few common reasons. (psst: if you are not interested in going through the reasons, skip to the benefits below.)

• Uneven distribution – Generally the cities get better share of ambulances than the towns and suburbs. The service is virtually non-existent as we keep on moving away from the main road and towards the dusty earth roads. But everyone needs the ambulance service. While it’s true that cities offer better business environment and should have a larger share of private ambulance carriers and startups, the concentration is limited to few select cities.


• Too much in too little – too many cooks spoil the broth is a common saying and is true for every case. Due to presence of a large number of service providers in a relatively short area, competition gives way to chaos and availability is flung out of the window.


• Highly disorganized and fragmented – in absence of any single platform wherein all ambulance providers can register and be hired, most of the customers and patients find themselves in lurch. A typical procedure for booking a private ambulance involves first searching for the best options, zeroing in on those who are near to you, getting their contact details and finally contacting them. If you are in luck, you might get them to reach them on time. If not, well, it’s no surprise. In fact it’s so tedious that many prefer their own private vehicles over booking an ambulance.


• Visibility is hard to come by – not everyone is strong enough to sustain themselves on adverts. And to be able to make yourself visible to customers you need to reach out to them. The double whammy of huge expenditure and stiff competition means that most of the private ambulance operators rather choose an organic death for their business than providing it with costly lifesaving marketing.

Why choose B2C model of business over B2B?

The simple philosophy is this: There’s some resemblance of security in number and at any time, there will be more people than companies. The primary target of any B2C company is the common people and it is much easier to impress them than convince a business conglomerate. The cost and time incurred on marketing is much lesser in direct marketing. But there’s a huge downside. While there are more customers in B2C, there’s more revenue in B2B. The failure to recognize this trend is the primary reason why the private ambulance operators often incur losses in their ambulance hiring business.

Why you need to move over to a B2B aggregator model?

The B2B market is less crowded and is more beneficial than the usual razzmatazz. Other than its inherent financial worth, it is a nobler concept ethically especially in ambulance service sector. If it’s about saving lives, why not do it together? We list some of the benefits offered by AMB life’s B2B directory of ambulances.

Improved accessibility – The first rule of any business is to not keep the customers waiting. By bringing every private ambulance operator on one platform, AMB life provides patients with a single point source of contact between the service seeker and service provider. They are also able to make a more informed decision quickly. So, if you have been earnestly seeking customers on your own, why not get on us and make yourself better accessible.

Bigger customer base – By streamlining your availability AMB life increases your outreach to bigger ready-to-buy customer base.

Better profit margins – The more the merrier, they say. Bigger the customer base, more is the revenue. Your ambulances that have been running red since now are sure to get a reprieve. Get on the bandwagon and redeem your failing ambulance business.

Better feedback mechanism – Many a times patients complain about the quality of services being offered by a service provider. But in the absence of any feedback mechanism, they go scot free and continue making money at the expense of needy customers. This is an equally obnoxious nuisance both for the customers as well as for honest ambulance operators. By providing an option of rating and reviewing the services, AMB life not just helps in rewarding the quality ones but also helps in rooting out the unscrupulous ones.

Single point hiring source for customers – AMB life seeks to build an interconnected network of ambulance services and their associated business around the globe. By doing so we provide our visitors with an option to choose the best services depending on their choice of location and feedback. This not just saves them the trouble of having to scout ambulances on their own in times of emergencies but also allows them to do so at the comfort of their bed.

Every service at one place. Image credit: AMB life

Customer behavior and pattern – In modern world of IOT and big data, raw data is gold and consensual raw data is worth rubies. By registering on B2B aggregator platforms like AMB life you don’t just get access to tons of data on customer behavior but also are better placed than your peers to analyze their pattern. These is of great help in further streamlining your services and structuring its expansion. Data collection and integration assists a lot in providing personalized healthcare service including patient commute (see image below).

Image source: Rock Health

Strengthens the regulatory framework – In this article we explained why many ambulance operators don’t adhere to regulatory norms in India. We also explained the mandatory requirements for getting an ambulance registered in simpler terms. Alongside patients, aggregating also provides government agencies with a single portal wherein they can regulate their affairs. If you are intent on doing your business honestly, why run pillar to posts to get the certificate from authorities. Let them come to you.

Consolidation of healthcare facilities – As already explained in the reasons above, fragmentation and disorganization is one of the primary reasons hampering the growth and business of private ambulance service providers. With AMB life, you get a platform wherein you can consolidate everything that you offer and make them available for the customers. This not just saves you the trouble of having to advertise individually for every services but also increases their visibility and accessibility. On AMB life you can register both your main services as well as your ancillary services like oxygen systems, hearse van etc.

Less competition – Once you are out of the melee and on our portal, you make yourself stand out from the crowd. By being visible to customers you not just get access to them a lot easily but also get a chance to consolidate your brand by promoting your services to them especially the repeat customers.

 

Note: This article was written for AMB life

Air ambulance: The future of patient commute

Image courtesy: Ziqita

Finding and booking an ambulance – whether an air ambulance or a ground ambulance can be a daunting task. At the time, when every breath of your loved ones is precious and each moment you spend with them is crucial, wasting even a second seems like the worst thing in the world. Particularly in India where booking even a ground ambulance is a seemingly difficult task, one even gives up when it comes to finding an air ambulance. Fortunately, this all might change with AMB life which envisions an online platform where ambulance providers all across the globe can not only register but can also get in touch directly with the patients. It allows for a user to search air ambulances and road or ground ambulances in country, state and even to the cities of their choosing. Backed by a robust technology that provides for a user-friendly interface, it aims to change the logistical fabric of ambulances in cities around the globe.

The history of Air ambulance

The pioneers in the field of air ambulances are the European countries like France, Britain and Spain. But these were mostly used for causalities of war. During and after Second World War, its use increased exponentially aided by US push. But in many parts of the globe, it was usually reserved as a war-time savior. In India, it was India Aero medical services that kick started the concept of air ambulance in 1995.

Air ambulance: an untapped service

Air ambulance usage is generally rare and is undertaken only in extreme circumstances. It could be particularly helpful in remote areas if not for the high cost incurred. Unlike ground or road ambulance services which are relatively easy to understand and undertake, air ambulance is another nut all together. This is mainly due to ignorance about the various terminologies used in air ambulance and absence of platform to choose the most cost – effective one. The inconsistencies and in many cases absence of laws or guidelines regarding air ambulance has also contributed to its rare usage. The absence of medically suited aircrafts are also an issue.

At AMB life, one can easily understand the meanings of commonly used terminologies like MEDVAC, CASEVAC, RVSM, EMS, EMT, Bedside-to-Bedside etc.

Cost component in Air Ambulance

The cost component is the single most important factor in case of air ambulance. While ground and road ambulance are generally cheaper, the same isn’t true for air ambulance. Depending on the requirements of the patient, type of aircraft, availability and need of medical staff/s, presence of insurance cover, facilities offered etc., cost could vary immensely.

It is here that AMB life shows its true utility. By providing different service providers to register on its platform, it presents the patient with a one-stop portal where they can’t just search about the air ambulance availability near their locality but can also look at the ratings, reviews and insurance covers. These not just helps them make an informed decision but also makes it a lot easier.

Air ambulance is an exciting prospect of patient commute particularly for remote and far flung areas. The need is to make them more affordable my providing appropriate insurance basket and making it easier to reach out. While AMB life can easily take care of the later, the onus of providing the former rests with the service providers and insurance companies.

Visit www.amblife.com for more.

Note: This article has been written for GnextTechnologies and Amb life.

B2B directory in ambulance services: Saving lives together

Image courtesy: indiantaxiservices.com

The health sector is highly fragmented. We have different components working together in different silos, unaware of need and benefit that they can get by working as one. The ambulance service – both air and ground represent the same stories. There are numerous carriers providing this services but in absence of any binding force they work independently giving benefit to none. The demand from customers is not declining though but absence of platform where they can find all of them together definitely hurts. A B2B directory of such services could be a solution.

Breaking down B2B and B2B directory

B2B is a shorthand for Business to Business and is referred to the mode of business where different companies work together like supplying a raw material where both the supplier as well buyer are companies. It forms a small proportion of total business dealings but still is most crucial for growth of B2C which is what many try to tap into.

B2B directory is nothing but a collection of different business companies working together. One example could be a site named AMB life which lets different ambulance service providers to register on their website. They can register their main service as well as all their ancillaries like hearse van, oxygen systems etc.

Why the need for B2B?

More Profit can be one reason. Easy accessibility could be another. But the rationale behind it is much bigger. It is the belief that there is indeed strength in unity. If the services are scattered they are not just difficult to carve out from the milieu but may also end up being the white elephant. B2B directories bring them together. In case of directories for ambulance services, it goes way beyond just ‘being together’. Some of the benefits it may throw might be unexpected –

• Bigger audience – If information about everything related to every ambulance service carriers and their services offered is provided under one roof, it makes more customers to gravitate towards them.


• More revenue – obviously. More the people flocking to you, better will be the profits. As the cliché goes, more the merrier.


• Better quality of service – these B2B directories usually provide the option of rating and reviewing the companies. While it may be of help to customers in choosing the best, it can also be of immense importance to companies registered there. They can easily find out about what their competitors are offering and make amends accordingly.


• Data and information – data is gold and these directories are treasure trove. And how do you mine them? Data mining and analytics, folks! Since most of the data’s contained here has been shared consensually by customers there’s nothing that’s grey ethics.


• Accessibility – this is the only reason for their creation in the first place. Customers get to choose at the comfort of their bed.

When it comes to ambulance, empathy is paramount and every moment is precious. These B2B directories can be a single point entry for the patients. Many such websites like StanPlus, Goambee and PrimeAmbulance are trying to change the narrative. AMB life, which I mentioned earlier (sorry for bringing it again. I traversed many such sites and directories. This was a tad better and it’s always good to learn from the best), provides customers to search and choose based on country, states and even cities. Yay! You guessed it right. Every private ambulance provider around the globe is there. So, it’s time that businesses come together. If it’s about saving lives, why not do it together?

Note: This article has been written for GnextTechnologies.