INTRODUCTION
Ambulance Service is an essential service during emergency for transporting patients from houses, accident sites and hospitals. It is used for transporting the patient with care from one hospital to another hospital also. Ambulances are essential for trauma care. Trauma is an emotional shock producing lasting effect. It may be caused due to heart attacks, road accidents, electrical shock, bomb blast etc., Only hospitals with well-equipped ambulances can produce help to such needy patients. Ambulance service can be started by private individuals offering their services to different smaller hospitals or bigger hospitals so that hospitals need not maintain Ambulance Service. Higher investment can be avoided and at the same time the services of ambulances are available whenever required. There is a good scope for starting ambulance services in smaller and bigger towns besides major cities as the number of road accidents, heart attacks and other diseases which require immediate attention are on the increase.
Ambulance services have faced extraordinary pressure over the past 24 months. The pandemic placed significant demands on the service and that demand has continued to grow.
MARKET
The global ambulance services market size was valued at USD 32.2 billion (Rs.241500 crores) in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6% from 2021 to 2028. The demand for ambulance services is on a rise owing to the favourable reimbursement policies, rising medical tourism, an increasing number of road accidents, and a growing geriatric population. Road accidents are rapidly increasing and such cases require immediate medical attention and ambulance services. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), approximately 1.3 million people die in road crashes every year and additionally, 20-50 million get injured or disabled.
India’s ambulance services market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, FY2023-FY2027. An increase in the number of road accidents and these accidents require immediate medical attention. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Transport, Government of India stated that the frequency of road accidents is increasing day by day due to reckless driving or drunk driving or any other reasons.
Also, the rise in the number of deaths that happened due to road accidents is creating the need for quick medical treatment. Supportive government policies to boost the healthcare industry and reimbursement plans for availing healthcare services are fuelling the growth of the market. The rise in medical tourism and the development of infrastructure for healthcare facilities is accelerating the ambulance services market demand. Cardiovascular diseases comprising of cardiac arrest, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke usually requires immediate medical attention and treatment as it is a leading cause of death and is expected to bolster the growth of the market.
TECHNICAL
There are variety of ambulances available in India from different commercial vehicle manufacturers. Popular ambulance manufacturers include Force Motors, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, SML Isuzu and Eicher trucks and buses.
The entrepreneur can buy one Maruti Eco Ambulance with additional attachments are provided by other fabricators. The accessories include items such as 1. Medical Box 2. Oxygen Bottle Trolley 3. Oxygen Flow Bottle with Meter 4. Fire Safety Bottle 5. Attendant Seat with cushion 6. Vinyl on glass 7. Siren with Lights 8. Siren stand 9. Hanging Patti 10. Backside Metal guard 11. Flooring – Aluminium Chequered Plate 12. Cotton Canvas for Stretcher 13. Extra LED Room Light 14. Normal Stretcher with Wheel Price.
The owner has to employ one expert qualified driver. The Ambulance can be attached to any Hospital or different hospitals and the advertisement of Mobile numbers can be circulated.
Other than Maruti Ambulance, several other costly ambulance several other Ambulance brands are available.
ECONOMICS
The Total investment is estimated at Rs.7.00 lakhs including attachments. Term loan can be availed to the tune of 75%.
An estimated daily running is about 100 kms at the rate of Rs.150 per km that is Rs. 15000 per day. This works out to Rs.45.00 lakhs per annum. After deducting Petrol expenses, Driver’s salary, Oil and lubricants, Repairs, Road tax, Replacement of tyres, interest and brokerage and commission the net income per annum would be about Rs.20.00 lakhs. The instalment can be paid at the rate of Rs.1.40 lakhs per annum. If the occupancy is maintained the project can pay back in one year.
STATUTORY
Ambulance drivers are required to be trained in EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) for at least two years. They are also required to have an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certificate and a special endorsement on the state driver’s license in some states.
GST Registration and SME registration are required.