Zambulance

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,000.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Public Sector Agencies, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Distributors include: Zambikes and Disacare, a Zambian NGO led and operated by Zambians with disabilities. Disacare has produced over 200 Zambulances, and is continuing to design. Nonprofits in Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, and other countries are also modifying and using the design. Implementers include: Transaid, World Vision, USAID Plan, Malaria Consortium, Catholic Relief Services, Samaritans Purse, Care International, Africare, Willow Creek Church, Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Solon Foundation, and many other organizations.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include eRanger Ambulance and Namibian Bicycle Ambulance.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Zambulance are locally built. Zambikes has production facilities in Zambia and Uganda with a united capacity of 2000 zambulances/year. Manufacturing guidelines are provided via an open-source production Manual available for download here.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Donation model. Zambikes, in partnership with various outside organizations, directly places Zambulances in villages, clinics, and hospitals where they determine a need. Zambikes accepts and encourages donations.

Distributions to Date Status

Around 10000

Design Specifications

Zambulance is a two-wheeled ambulance trailer featuring a steel frame and motorcycle wheels. The stretcher is removable from the trailer to facilitate transport of the patient through narrow passages. The body of the stretcher is made from sheet metal as it is more durable and easier to clean than high-quality fabrics. The canopy frame is fashioned from rebar welded to the stretcher's rear panel, where a waterproof canvas can be strapped on as rain and sun protection for the patient. It also has a cushion and a reclining backrest. The hitch attaches the trailer near the bicycle's rear axle by clamping onto the seat stay and chain stay. Production Manual and User Manual with full specifications is available for download here.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Zambikes provides on-site training and follow-up visits when a Zambulance is introduced to the user.

Replacement Components

Local manufacturing ensures that locally available components are used and can be sourced for replacements.

Lifecycle

At least 5 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To enable faster and comfortable patient transport to the nearest clinic for patients in rural areas.

Vetted Performance Status

In 2008, Transaid implemented a bicycle ambulance project in three districts of Zambia’s Eastern Province. The project saw the production and distribution of 40 bicycle ambulances. Transaid established a specific monitoring and evaluation framework for this project. Log book data showed that the average distance traveled on the bicycle ambulance in one trip was 13.7km. The longest distance for one trip, in Katete, was 40km. A performance weakness identified was that in some cases the stretcher had broken due to manufacturing errors.

Safety

No listed hazards

Complementary Technical Systems

The Zambulance can not function without the addition of a bicycle or motorcycle. Additional supportive devices include intravenous hangers.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

No applicable international standards have been cited.

Evaluation methods

A study from the World Health Organization monitored the use of 40 Zambulances over the course of four months.  Additional information was gathered in the study through interviews with caregivers and patients, and analysis of logbooks.

Other Information

Watch Zambikes Promo Video Video about A Day in the Zambikes shop More information on the product is contained in the following articles; 1. ZAMBULANCE 2. Cycles of life: California-based nonprofit transforming health care in Africa with 'zambulances' 3. Special Ambulance Zambia 4. The Zambulance – a life-saving bicycle trailer