Monday 18 May 2009

MERCEDES-BENZ BUS FOR THE SICK



A mobile hospital? Yes. This is the Mercedes-Benz Citaro, a real bus with a difference. Ordered by the government of Dubai the Citaro is a mobile emergency unit designed to treat multiple patients. It can attend to up to 20 injured people in association with four qualified medical personnel.

The bus is fitted with what is said to be the world’s smallest x-ray unit. The injured only have to lay on the bed and the images are shown on a computer screen in real-time. Oxygen is often in short supply when it comes to rescuing people so the bus has a supply of about 12 000 litres of oxygen on board, enough to last about three days. An oxygen concentrator can be installed which enables oxygen worth several weeks to be produced directly by the bus.

In addition to being a “clinic” the bus is also a communications stronghold. Features include telephone, radio, Internet and fax services.

Bus conversions are not uncommon, especially in the US where they are often used by famous artists who travel from state to state while touring. It really sounds to me like the 2010 LOC needs to seriously look at buying at least two of these vehicles for the FIFA World Cup.

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