Delhi joins 5G ambulance revolution

Zenzo, an emergency response service provider, announced the launch of a national ambulance network on April 23 at the India Habitat Centre. The new initiative will operate 25,000 ambulances across 450 cities, including 671 in Delhi-NCR alone.

The fleet includes basic and cardiac units, as well as 5G-enabled ambulances equipped for real-time patient monitoring and data transfer to hospitals.

‘As quick as a cab’

“Essentially, the ambulances that we have kept in our fleet function how cabs do,” said Sweta Mangal, co-founder of Zenzo. “Basically, you can call our number and an ambulance will be provided to your doorstep in the fastest time, especially since there is a lot of stress on hospital resources.”

She added that 5G-enabled ambulances are designed to ease diagnosis during transit. “When a patient goes in, the real-time health data is transferred to the hospital, so the doctor can actually see what’s happening in the ambulance, and see the vitals,” Mangal said. “They can then diagnose accordingly. However, no operation or surgery can be done inside. It can only help in stabilising the patient.”

Fully equipped, software-backed

Each ambulance is fitted with critical equipment such as a ventilator, defibrillator, suction machine, syringe pump, Electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, and oxygen tanks capable of lasting up to 12 hours.

Behind the scenes, much of the functionality relies on backend software that connects patients to hospitals. To support this, Zenzo has partnered with Kochi-based medical startup, Apothecary Medical Services.

Remote diagnosis via live feed

The startup’s application enables live video streaming from the ambulance to doctors at the receiving hospital.

“There is a digital stethoscope through which the doctor can measure the vitals while not being on the spot,” explained Dr Nadeem, founder of Apothecary Medical Services.

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“Having a live feed of medical personnel does away with the clutter of radio interactions which would earlier happen. Through the doctor’s dashboard on the application, I can get the patient diagnosed, get them prescribed, or even add another doctor into the mix to get a second opinion.”

Pricing and access

Zenzo’s services are priced as follows:

– Basic Ambulance: Rs 1,500

– Cardiac Ambulance: Rs 2,500

– 5G Ambulance: Rs 5,000

To avail the service, individuals can call 1-800-102-1298.

Training Delhi’s first responders

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Zenzo also organised CPR and First Aid tutorials for over 100 Delhi Traffic Police personnel on April 21–22.

The initiative aims to prepare police personnel as first responders in the event of road accidents.

“This training will help in reducing the number of accident-based fatalities that Delhi faces, almost on a daily basis,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Tomar.