Last Updated on December 6, 2022 by Neelam Singh
In July 2020, Dr Neeraj Jha with his friend Santosh founded a start-up called ‘Hanuman’ (Medicvisor Pvt Ltd) with a capital of rupees two lakh, in Patna. Under this, a toll-free number was launched for booking an ambulance.
Before that, Dr Jha had been working as a hospital management consultant while Santosh had been in client relations and marketing communications. During those stints, the duo learned how the delay in arrival of ambulance service after incidents and accidents makes it very challenging for doctors to save patients’ lives. Often, they used to hear “the life could have been saved had the patient been brought on time” from the doctors and hospitals. This inspired them to set up a good ambulance service.
How the dream became true
Dr Jha said, “In 2020, we realised that meeting people’s needs only through a toll-free number would be difficult. In August, the ‘Hanumancare’ app was launched. This app can be downloaded from Google Play Store. This can also be used through the website. As of now, this app can be accessed only through Android phones. People can book an ambulance from the ‘Hanuman’ app and the service reaches their place within 15-30 minutes.”
“More than 350 ambulances have been included under the app and they cater to 22 districts throughout Bihar. In the cities, ambulance service is provided through ‘Hanuman’ app in 15 minutes while in rural areas, it reaches within half an hour,” he added.
Dr Jha and Santosh started their journey with around 12 young workers and now they employ 50 permanent and 200 temporary employees in their endeavour. All these staff members are related to the medical field in some way or the other. Within last two years, the app service has seen a turnover of rupees four crore, thanks to the cooperation from Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna Incubation Centre.
‘Hanuman’ is just a call away
The ‘Hanuman’ ambulance service was highly appreciated during the coronavirus pandemic. “I and Santosh had even delivered PPE kits to people with the help of ambulances at that time. Thereafter, we started an e-rickshaw ambulance combo service keeping in view people’s growing needs and under that, patients could avail oxygen facility. We reached 3,000 people out of which 700 were in need of Covid-19-related help. During that time, other ambulance services charged Rs 20,000 for catering to people within just 10 kilometres in Patna city and this was another reason for starting the ‘Hanuman’ app,” Dr Jha added.
“Twenty-four-hour service is available under emergency facilities and that includes besides ambulance, nurse, and paramedical staff. Even for patients who are at their home, syringes and medicines are also made available in an emergency. Nursing and ICU services are also provided at home and we have trained nursing staff members for that. Regular doctors’ consultation is also given online,” he added.
The goal is still higher
Last year in April, ‘Hanuman’ app got an approval from Karekeba Ventures and now there is a demand for extending its services to Delhi, Mumbai, Jharkhand, and in other areas in Bihar. Explaining why they chose the name ‘Hanuman’ for the app, Dr Jha said, “In mythology, Lord Hanuman had brought the life-saving ‘Sanjeevani’ herb. Here too, the idea is similar, and the word ‘Hanuman’ stands for Help (H), Accessibility (A), Need (N), Utility (U), and Mankind (MAN). Besides, our work is also shaped by four principles – Available, Accessible, Reliable and Transparent. We look forward to making ‘Hanuman’ a key player in our domestic health sector and cover other medical service areas, such as eye tests, insulin check-ups, etc.”
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