KARACHI: Sindh has expanded its emergency response system to water-bound communities with the launch of the province’s first Boat Ambulance by SIEHS-1122 at Keenjhar Lake in Thatta. The initiative aims to improve access to life-saving services for residents living around lakes, islands and riverine areas where road travel is often slow, unreliable or seasonally disrupted.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the Sindh government, district administration and emergency services, who described the new service as a practical solution to long-standing accessibility challenges faced by water-surrounded settlements.
Brig. Tarique Quadir Lakhiar, Chief Executive Officer of SIEHS-1122, said the Boat Ambulance has been introduced to ensure that geographical barriers do not prevent people from receiving urgent medical assistance. He said residents in these regions frequently face delays due to limited road connectivity, and the new service is designed to bridge that gap by bringing emergency care directly to them.
According to officials, the Boat Ambulance is a fully equipped on-water emergency unit staffed by trained Emergency Medical Technicians. It carries essential medical supplies, communication systems, searchlights, sonar technology, flotation devices and rescue equipment, enabling safe navigation and patient transport while providing initial medical care during transit.
The service strengthens Sindh’s emergency response network, which already includes more than 600 vehicles operating across urban and rural areas. Authorities said the addition of a water-based unit marks an important expansion of coverage and capability. The Boat Ambulance has been integrated with the 1122 emergency helpline to ensure coordinated dispatch and timely response.
