Bangladesh to Build Homegrown Electric Ambulances for Smarter, Sustainable Healthcare

To make healthcare services more accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly, the government has taken an initiative to develop electric and specialized ambulances using entirely indigenous technology. A meeting titled “Development of Indigenous Technology-Based Ambulances for the Ministry of Health” was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, June 6, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Later, at a press conference held at his official residence on Minto Road in the capital at 2:00 pm, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced the government's landmark decision.

The project has been undertaken with the goal of saving foreign currency, reducing import dependence in the healthcare sector, and establishing a seamless three-tier healthcare service network extending from rural areas to the capital. With technical support from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and under direct government supervision, a prototype of the specialized ambulance is currently being developed. Although the initial project cost was estimated at Tk 7.4 million, it will be increased to Tk 10 million to cover prototype development, testing, manpower, and consultancy fees.

The Health Minister said BUET will design two types of fully electric vehicle (EV) ambulances, considering the need for rapid and safe transportation of rural patients, particularly pregnant women. The first type will be a four-wheeled EV ambulance that will operate entirely without diesel or petrol and transport patients from villages to Upazila Health Complexes.

The second type of ambulance will be used for transferring patients from upazilas to district headquarters or, when necessary, to the capital. In addition to advanced oxygen support systems, it will include a small-scale solar power backup system for emergency situations.

The press conference also revealed that once BUET finalizes the design and technical specifications, the plans will be handed over to local automobile manufacturers. Domestic automotive companies will then commercially produce the ambulances according to the approved designs and sell them directly to the government at an affordable price.

The government plans to launch the initiative on a pilot basis in one upazila. Based on its success, the use of Made-in-Bangladesh electric ambulances is expected to be made mandatory nationwide from next year.

//DBTech/IH/MUM/OR//