Government Plans Locally Built Electric Ambulances to Expand Healthcare Access

The government has taken an initiative to develop locally manufactured electric ambulances as part of its efforts to deliver primary and comprehensive healthcare services closer to people across the country.

The initiative was discussed in detail at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the government is working to ensure accessible ambulance services at the grassroots level. As part of the project, one upazila will initially be selected as a pilot area for implementation.

He noted that if the initiative proves successful, it will help meet domestic demand for ambulances while reducing dependence on imports.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, the government is considering a three-tier ambulance service model. The plan includes separate ambulance categories for transporting patients from villages to upazilas, from upazilas to district headquarters, and from districts to the capital.

Experts attending the meeting said the locally produced ambulances would be equipped with essential medical equipment, oxygen support systems, and emergency healthcare facilities. The vehicles will be designed in consideration of Bangladesh’s geographical conditions and road infrastructure.

Officials believe the initiative will enable the supply of modern ambulances at a comparatively lower cost while significantly improving emergency patient transportation services nationwide.

Among those present at the meeting were Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister, Dr. M A Muhit, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs, Dr. S M Ziauddin Haider, Health Services Secretary, Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, academics, engineers, and senior government officials.