Goa Chief Minister along with the Health Minister launched a new fleet of 20 '108 First Responder Bike Ambulances' at State Secretariat at Porvorim near the city on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the launch, the Chief Minister said the launch was important because the bikes could surmount traffic jams, could reach odd places and run through narrow lanes. ''These are first immediate response bikes with oxygen. Primary medical attention can be given. It would be deployed according to density. These are probably the first of its kind,'' he said.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said,''We have conducted a survey of the hotspot and congested areas and the ambulances would be deployed accordingly. One more company has come forward with a proposal to provide us 25 ambulances. Our aim is to deploy at least 100 ambulances in the state within one year. Our attempt is to reduce the response time.''
Purti Patkar, Head of Operations, 108 Ambulances, said, ''All the basic equipment that is required that you use in your day to day life are present in the ambulances. We have different types of masks which can be connected to the oxygen cylinder. The ambulance riders are highly trained professionals.''