Zomato's Blinkit Launches Private Ambulance Service to Address Healthcare Gaps in India

AFP | India

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A leading Indian food delivery app has ventured into the healthcare sector by offering a private ambulance service, aiming to leverage its logistics expertise to address gaps in the country's healthcare system.

Zomato's delivery platform, Blinkit, announced the launch of its new "reliable" ambulance service, equipped with essential life-saving equipment, medications, and trained paramedics.

The company has revolutionized India's rapid mobile commerce landscape, using a network of local warehouses and thousands of delivery riders to expand beyond food delivery to include groceries, electronics, and more — all delivered within minutes.

However, this foray into healthcare marks a significant departure for the company.

"This is our first step towards solving the problem of delivering quick and reliable ambulance services in our cities," said Albinder Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit, in a post on social media platform X.

The first ambulances were deployed on Thursday, with Dhindsa emphasizing that the company’s goal is not profit. "We aim to operate this service at an affordable cost for our customers and invest in addressing this critical need for the long term."

The service initially launches with just five ambulances in Gurugram, a city near India's capital, New Delhi, but the company plans to expand to major cities across the country over the next two years.

Although the service’s initial rollout is modest, it is expected to fill a crucial gap in a country with an underfunded and understaffed healthcare system. A 2020 study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences revealed that while 88% of secondary-level district hospitals had ambulances, only 3% had trained paramedics available to assist in emergencies.

Indian social media users have reacted with mixed emotions, some finding humor in the situation. "What a genius move by Zomato's Blinkit! First, they deliver junk food and chips, and next thing you know, you'll need an ambulance!" one user commented on X.

Others questioned why the Indian government has been unable to provide a basic, reliable ambulance service to its citizens.