District administrative authorities flagged off the new auto-ambulance service in central India's Madhya Pradesh on May 6. The incident took place at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in Betul.

Visuals from the event feature autorickshaws, modified as ambulances to cater to the shortage of ambulances in the district hospitals. The autos are covered with plastic films for safety and are equipped with oximeters and sanitizers for the patients. Moreover, the drivers are seen wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) kits for safety.

District SP, Simala Prasad, addressed the drivers and flagged off the operation. Due to surging COVID-19 cases all over the country, hospitals are facing a shortage of ambulances. The auto ambulance service will facilitate the patients to reach hospitals on time and lessen the burden on the existing ambulance services.