An Ambulance on the road. [Photo/theeastafrican]
A tech start-up has launched an online ambulance service.
The ambulance service operates like a taxi covering Nairobi, a year after angel investors injected Sh10 million to fund its establishment.
Flare founders Caitlin Dolkart and Maria Rabinovich say their web-based service ‘Rescue’ has enrolled 10,000 users mostly drawn from the corporate members during a month-long pilot that has created a pool of 40 ambulances across Nairobi.
They respond to alerts round the clock.
“We wanted a service that saves lives via prompt response and we have tested the service, bringing down emergency rescue service to eight minutes from the traditional two hours,” said Ms Dolkart.
“Swift response means less health complications to a patient who receives first aid from paramedics and evacuation to a hospital of choice,” she said. The 40 ambulances are spread across the city according to locations.
Ms Rabinovich said each participating ambulance team has a mobile gadget for communication, ensuring the teams were accessible around the clock. The service, accessed via any Internet-ready mobile phone, enables the emergency response team to locate a patient.