04/11/2025
Pushing the limits of pre-hospital care — where every heartbeat matters, even beyond the shore. 🌊💚
Discover the SIEHS Riverine Boat Ambulance at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference 2025, and see how innovation is redefining emergency response across waters.
Organized by the Pakistan Navy and Badar Expo Solutions, under the esteemed patronage of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs Pakistan - MOMA
Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services (SIEHS), under the Health Department, Government of Sindh, showcased the prototype of Sindh’s first Riverine Boat Ambulance at the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) 2025, being held from 3rd to 6th November at the Karachi Expo Centre.
The initiative, developed under the vision of the Health Department, Government of Sindh, aims to extend life-saving emergency care to communities that remain disconnected from road networks, particularly those located along the province’s coastal and riverine belts, as well as the islands.
The Boat Ambulance, currently in its prototype phase, is designed to navigate shallow waterways and flood-prone areas where traditional ambulances cannot operate. It is equipped with state-of-the-art medical gadgets, wireless communication systems, sonar equipment, long-range searchlights, life jackets, and first-aid medical facilities—enabling medical teams to provide care and stabilization during transport.
According to SIEHS officials, four boats have already been deployed on a trial basis, with plans to gradually expand the fleet to 26 across Sindh’s coastal regions. Once fully operational, the service is expected to play a crucial role during floods and natural disasters, ensuring access to emergency healthcare in areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Speaking at the event, Brig. (R) Tarique Quadir Lakhiar, CEO of SIEHS, said that the Riverine Ambulance initiative represents “a vital step towards ensuring that no community is left behind when it comes to emergency care.” PIMEC 2025, organized by the Pakistan Navy and Badar Expo Solutions with the support of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, is recognized as Pakistan’s flagship maritime event.
With participation from around 100 countries, the platform brings together maritime, defense, and blue economy stakeholders to explore Pakistan’s growing potential in the global maritime sector. The Riverine Ambulance drew strong interest from visitors and delegates, highlighting the growing need for innovative healthcare access models in flood-prone regions and along Pakistan’s vast coastline