Blinkit, the quick-commerce platform known for its rapid delivery services, has ventured into healthcare by launching a 10-minute ambulance service in Gurugram.
The initiative, announced by CEO Albinder Dhindsa on January 2 via X (formerly Twitter), aims to provide urgent medical assistance swiftly and plans to expand to major cities across India within two years.
The newly launched service will start with five ambulances equipped with essential medical equipment, including oxygen cylinders, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), stretchers, monitors, suction machines, emergency medicines, and injections. Each ambulance will also include a paramedic, an assistant, and a professionally trained driver to ensure efficient and effective care.
Patients in need can book a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance directly through the Blinkit app. While the service will operate at an affordable flat fee of ₹2,000, the company clarified that it does not cover neonatal or ventilator care at this stage.
Dhindsa emphasized that this initiative is not profit-driven but rather a step towards solving a critical societal challenge. “We are carefully scaling this service as it is both important and new to us. The goal is to eventually roll it out in all major cities over the next two years,” he stated. He also urged the public to always make way for ambulances, noting that such actions could save lives.
The announcement was met with mixed reactions online. Many praised Blinkit for stepping up to fill a vital gap in emergency medical services, with Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal commending the team for their innovation and societal focus. “This is a global first. Quick isn’t just about commerce; it’s about saving lives too. Congratulations @albinder and team for making this happen at record speed,” Goyal shared on X.
However, some critics raised concerns about private entities stepping into what they believe should be a government-provided service. Questions about accessibility and affordability for all sections of society were also raised.
With its foray into healthcare, Blinkit aims to redefine the possibilities of quick response services beyond commerce. By prioritizing societal impact and addressing urgent medical needs, the company is taking a bold step toward contributing to a more efficient healthcare infrastructure in India.
As the service scales up, it could set a precedent for how technology and logistics can be leveraged to address critical challenges in the healthcare sector