Kokrajhar: Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal on Friday announced the launch of a Boat Ambulance Service aimed at improving access to emergency healthcare for residents living in the remote riverine areas of Kokrajhar district.
Sharing the development in a post on X, the Minister said the new service has been introduced to ensure faster medical assistance for people residing in areas where road connectivity is limited and water transport remains the primary means of travel.
According to Singhal, the boat ambulance will play a crucial role in providing timely emergency medical care to pregnant women, children, senior citizens and critically ill patients. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce delays in transporting patients to healthcare facilities during medical emergencies.
The Minister said the service has been launched with the support of NTPC Limited under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. He expressed gratitude to NTPC Bongaigaon for partnering with the government in strengthening healthcare delivery in underserved regions.
Officials believe the introduction of the boat ambulance will enhance emergency response capabilities in the district’s riverine communities, where seasonal flooding and difficult terrain often hinder access to hospitals and health centres.
The initiative forms part of the Assam Government’s broader efforts to improve healthcare accessibility across geographically challenging areas by adopting region-specific solutions and expanding emergency medical services to vulnerable populations.
