Namibian Bicycle Ambulance

Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia

Namibian Bicycle Ambulance transports patients to healthcare centers in Namibia.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

Namibian bicycle ambulance is “stretcher on wheels” to transport patients, particularly those suffering from HIV/AIDS, to the nearest healthcare center. Different variation of the two-wheeled trailer can be have a “seat” section for a passenger in addition to the “bed” for the patient.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

African countries including Namibia

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia’s bike shops

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

530 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Coop Africa
First African Bicycle Information Organisation (FABIO)
African Vision Malawi
Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF)

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

HIV/AIDS Home Based Care workers
HIV/AIDS self help projects, communities, clinics, and hospitals

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Manually manufactured on-demand in BEN Namibia’s workshop in Windhoek.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Open Source

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Users can get a bicycle ambulance from one of BEN’s bike shops

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Over 100 between 2006-2012.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Area of cart (m^2)

Unknown (varies)

Frame material

Steel

Hitch type

Unknown (varies)

Maximum speed (km/h)

~15

Patient capacity (#)

How many patients can be transported per trip

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Extra-wide tires
Adjustable stretcher
Handle for pulling (by bicycle or by hand)
Sun shade

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

None

Technical support Technical support provided by

BEN provides on-site delivery training and ongoing field support to organizations that will use the ambulances.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

None

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Unknown

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

BEN aims to improve access to healthcare for Namibians living in rural locations.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Unknown

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

No third party testing has been conducted.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Users should follow regular traffic rules when cycling through urban areas.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

None

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Lungu, K., Kamfosa, V., Hussein, J., Ashwood-Smith, H., Are bicycle ambulances and community transport plans effective in strengthening obstetric referral systems in Southern Malawi, Malawi Medical Journal, pp. 16-18

Simon, S., Chu, K., Frieden, M., Candrinho, B., Ford, N., Schneider, H., Biot, M., 2009, An integrated approach of community health worker support for HIV/AIDS and TB care in Angónia district, Mozambique, BMC International Health and Human Rights, 9(13)

Forster, G., Simfukwe, V., Barber, C., 2010, Bicycle Ambulances Have Impact, Appropriate Technology, Volume 37, Issue 3, pp. 13-15.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

Unknown

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

The manufacturer gathered data from first 100 deployed ambulances through follow-up field visits. Monitoring allowed BEN to improve both design and delivery of the product. This evaluation Report was published on March 2009.

Other information

None

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

African countries including Namibia

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia’s bike shops

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

530 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Coop Africa
First African Bicycle Information Organisation (FABIO)
African Vision Malawi
Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF)

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

HIV/AIDS Home Based Care workers
HIV/AIDS self help projects, communities, clinics, and hospitals

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Manually manufactured on-demand in BEN Namibia’s workshop in Windhoek.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Open Source

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Users can get a bicycle ambulance from one of BEN’s bike shops

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Over 100 between 2006-2012.

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Area of cart (m^2)

Unknown (varies)

Frame material

Steel

Hitch type

Unknown (varies)

Maximum speed (km/h)

~15

Patient capacity (#)

How many patients can be transported per trip

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Extra-wide tires
Adjustable stretcher
Handle for pulling (by bicycle or by hand)
Sun shade

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

None

Technical support Technical support provided by

BEN provides on-site delivery training and ongoing field support to organizations that will use the ambulances.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

None

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

Unknown

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

BEN aims to improve access to healthcare for Namibians living in rural locations.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Unknown

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

No third party testing has been conducted.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Users should follow regular traffic rules when cycling through urban areas.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

None

Research & standards

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Forster, G., Simfukwe, V., Barber, C., 2010, Bicycle Ambulances Have Impact, Appropriate Technology, Volume 37, Issue 3, pp. 13-15.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

Unknown

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Other information

None

Feedback

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

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Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia

In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors