Updated on August 20, 2019

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Created on August 27, 2015

Zambulance

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Zambulance is a bike-trailer ambulance that transports patients from rural areas to healthcare centers.

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Product Description

Zambulance is a low-cost two-wheeled bike-trailer ambulance that transports patients safely comfortably for medical treatment that can be attached to any bicycle or motorcycle. It contains a mattress, covered with a cloth, a reclining backrest and a weatherproof canopy with a side flap for access.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,000.00

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Distributors include: Zambikes and Disacare, a Zambian NGO led and operated by Zambians with disabilities. Disacare has produced over 200 Zambulances, and is continuing to design. Nonprofits in Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, and other countries are also modifying and using the design. Implementers include: Transaid, World Vision, USAID Plan, Malaria Consortium, Catholic Relief Services, Samaritans Purse, Care International, Africare, Willow Creek Church, Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Solon Foundation, and many other organizations.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Zambulance are locally built. Zambikes has production facilities in Zambia and Uganda with a united capacity of 2000 zambulances/year. Manufacturing guidelines are provided via an open-source production Manual available for download here.

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Donation model. Zambikes, in partnership with various outside organizations, directly places Zambulances in villages, clinics, and hospitals where they determine a need. Zambikes accepts and encourages donations.

Distributions to Date Status

Design Specifications

Zambulance is a two-wheeled ambulance trailer featuring a steel frame and motorcycle wheels. The stretcher is removable from the trailer to facilitate transport of the patient through narrow passages. The body of the stretcher is made from sheet metal as it is more durable and easier to clean than high-quality fabrics. The canopy frame is fashioned from rebar welded to the stretcher's rear panel, where a waterproof canvas can be strapped on as rain and sun protection for the patient. It also has a cushion and a reclining backrest. The hitch attaches the trailer near the bicycle's rear axle by clamping onto the seat stay and chain stay. Production Manual and User Manual with full specifications is available for download here.

Technical Support

Zambikes provides on-site training and follow-up visits when a Zambulance is introduced to the user.

Replacement Components

Local manufacturing ensures that locally available components are used and can be sourced for replacements.

Lifecycle

At least 5 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To enable faster and comfortable patient transport to the nearest clinic for patients in rural areas.

Vetted Performance Status

In 2008, Transaid implemented a bicycle ambulance project in three districts of Zambia’s Eastern Province. The project saw the production and distribution of 40 bicycle ambulances. Transaid established a specific monitoring and evaluation framework for this project. Log book data showed that the average distance traveled on the bicycle ambulance in one trip was 13.7km. The longest distance for one trip, in Katete, was 40km. A performance weakness identified was that in some cases the stretcher had broken due to manufacturing errors.

Safety

No listed hazards

Complementary Technical Systems

The Zambulance can not function without the addition of a bicycle or motorcycle. Additional supportive devices include intravenous hangers.

Academic Research and References

J. Vechakul, 2008, Design of bicycle ambulances for Zambia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nicholl, J., West, J., Goodacre, S., Turner, J., 2007, The relationship between distance to hospital and patient mortality in emergencies: an observational study, Emergency Medicine Journal, 24(9), pp. 665-668.

Razzak, J. A., Kellermann, A. L., 2002, Emergency medical care in developing countries: is it worthwhile?, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 80(11), pp. 900-905.

Kobusingye, O. C., Hyder, A. A., Bishai, D., Hicks, E. R., Mock, C., Joshipura, M., 2005, Emergency medical systems in low- and middle- income countries: recommendations for action, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(8), pp. 626-631.

Macintyre, K., Hotchkiss, D.R., 1999, Referral revisited: community financing schemes and emergency transport in rural Africa, Social Science & Medicine, 49(11), pp. 1473-1487.

Fourneir, P., Dumont, A., Tourigny, C., Dunkley, G., Drame, S., 2009, Improved access to comprehensive emergency obstetric care and its effect on institutional maternal mortality in rural Mali, Bulletin of the World Health Organ,87(1), pp. 30-38.

V. Simfukwe, C. Barber, and G. Forster, 2009, Evaluation Report on the 2008-2009 Bicycle Ambulance Pilot Project Implemented in Three Districts of Eastern Province, Zambia, Transaid, London

Compliance with regulations

No applicable international standards have been cited.

Other Information

None

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