Care on Wheels: The Grand Starex Cargo Ambulance

A recent World Bank (WB) study urges more investment in healthcare systems for “long COVID” as a less costly alternative to lockdowns. Given the experience of the past two years, it pays to have your local community prepared for a health emergency. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there should be at least one ambulance serving every 100,000 patients. Having an EMS on hand is no longer a luxury, but a practical response to providing the public quick, efficient, timely, and perhaps more affordable life-saving services. 

Did you know that it takes exactly nine minutes to save a person who suffered a stroke or a massive cardiac arrest?

It therefore pays to have at least the basic ambulance to serve your local community, school, company, or neighborhood association.  

This calls for out-of-the-box thinking. It goes without saying that the ambulance should be managed by a well-trained medical team and a certified ambulance driver. Then, let the HYUNDAI GRAND STAREX CARGO’S key features work for you. It has the potential of meeting Department of Health (DOH) standards for a Type 1 ambulance on account of its famously spacious interiors, sleek but tough body, drive power, and smooth handling. Twin-swing rear doors and the signature dual sliding doors make for quick and convenient boarding, loading, and unloading.

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The spacious back is customizable. Partition panels * serve as a safety barrier between the driver and patient compartments.     

Hyundai’s 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty assures peace of mind in the first five years of ownership and operation, backed by Hyundai’s signature technology and quality engineering poured into manufacturing every unit.

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The front-mounted engine design cuts down on noise, vibration, harshness and heat, and absorbs the impact in the event of a frontal collision, protecting the driver and front passengers. Safety features, like the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)* allows for better drive control, which makes for a smooth, comfortable, and safe ride for your precious passengers and equipment.

Dual Front Airbags* at the steering wheel and dashboard provide added protection to the driver and front passenger. 

Finally, all three variants of the HYUNDAI GRAND STAREX CARGO are powered by a 2.5 CRDi (Euro 4) engine mated with 6-speed manual transmission to provide the power to get you through mounting traffic and the fuel efficiency to help you save on operational costs.

With efficient management and administration, every HYUNDAI GRAND STAREX CARGO AMBULANCE put at the service of the community can give the much needed boost to the local healthcare system, post-COVID. You can also consider doing your own EMS startup and join the growing community of entrepreneurs who have happily discovered its endless possibilities for driving business in the New Normal.

*Available in select Grand Starex Cargo variants.

SIDE BARS:

Quick EMS facts 

• Ground ambulances have an estimated value projection of US$42.5 billion (B) by 2027.
• EMS has branched into innovative services, such as the provision of Uber-like emergency transport, and cross services, or offering the same vehicle as both a fully equipped ambulance and a shuttle for transporting patients to and from their medical appointments.
• There are at least 10 well-known private and government-owned ambulance companies in the Philippines.  
• Costs of private ambulances are generally higher and vary among the different providers. Services are charged “a la-carte.” 
• Local EMS rates range from P5,000-10,000++. This could balloon depending on peak periods, holidays, the distance travelled, and the patient’s condition.

Must-have Equipment for a Type 1 DOH-accredited Ambulance

EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND SIREN 

SEATS AND COMPARTMENTS

• 3-seat bench with 2-pint seatbelts and underneath cabinet
• Aluminum grab rail on top of patient stretcher
• Built-in cabinet with sliding acrylic glass door and at least 3 shelves

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

• Wheel type stretcher with straps        
• Folding stretcher
• Orthopedic stretcher                                          
•  Spine board with straps
• Immobilization devices                                     
• Automatic external defibrillator (AED) with portable ECG
• Nebulizer
• Portable Suction Machine
• Examining light
• Aneroid Sphygmomanometer                                       
• Heavy duty stethoscopes (1 pediatric, 1 adult)                             
• Non-contact thermometer
• Blood-Glucose meter with strips
• Manual resuscitators for adult, pediatric, and infant
• Oxygen cylinder with oxygen therapy set
• Laryngoscope set
• Endotracheal tubes for adult and pedia
• Delivery set

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Fire extinguisher (2A10BC rating), mounted 
• Heavy duty LED flashlight at least 1000 lumens
• Extra batteries                                                     
• IV holder                                                                
• Air purifier with multi-stage air filters
• Garbage container at least 3-liter capacity
• Sharps container with sliding lid with a capacity of at least 1liter 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)