In Uganda, a modified bicycle is used as an alternative to getting sick patients to hospitals. This left Bujagali village in Budondo Sub County in Jinja District in awe. On Saturday, 16 May, the modified bicycle was donated by the First African Bicycle Information Organization in Jinja District to help in taking pregnant women and sick people who need an ambulance to get a health facility.
In Budondo, the head of the Village Health Teams, John Mugulusi Kanakulya stated that the modified bicycle would save the lives of many pregnant women and even the sick during this critical period that Uganda battles against the pandemic disease.
This has resulted in limited ambulances and even a means of transportation. According to him, before the outbreak, pregnant women struggled with transporting themselves to hospitals for delivery.
Going further, he stated that with the bicycle ambulance, several expectant mothers have been transported to health facilities with 20 of them already put to bed in one month. Vehicle ambulances take time to arrive when called, so they don’t have to wait for so long for them again.
A pregnant woman in Budondo identified as Ms Muwanguzi revealed that the launch of a bicycle ambulance in the rural area is thoughtful and a life-saving plan. 20 bicycle ambulances have been donated by FABIO in Jinja and Iganga districts.
Patrick Kayemba, founder of First African Bicycle Information Organization stated that the Uganda government should look into creating bicycle lanes in new cities to protect the lives of bicycle riders while on the road with bigger vehicles.
