#StartupsVsCovid19: Uber Launches UberMedic In India To Support Healthcare Personnel

Ride-hailing platform Uber has launched a new service called UberMedic to provide transportation support to the frontline healthcare providers. UberMedic will allow healthcare providers to book a cab to and from their homes, healthcare centres and other medical facilities.

For this, Uber has also allocated its top-rated drivers and dedicated cars. the company has assured that the drivers are well-trained in Covid-19 safety protocols and will be given phone support as well. Moreover, partner hospitals will also provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to drivers, which would include hand sanitisers, gloves, disinfectant sprays and face masks.

“Working closely with a network of hospitals and leveraging our global experience and technology, UberMedic allows hospitals to easily and reliably arrange transportation for doctors and other health workers to and from their homes as well as to health care facilities. We take this opportunity to thank frontline medical workers, who are helping keep us all safe,’ Pradeep Parameswaran, president of Uber India SA.

Uber has asked healthcare institutions to reach out to them on 0804685 2190 between 8 am and 8 pm, in case they want to opt for the UberMedic services for their healthcare providers. UberMedics will also be available at uberIndia-covid-help@uber.com.

This month, Uber also set up an emergency coronavirus fund for its drivers in the US for partners that have been tested positive of under quarantine. The fund will be available for drivers in India, senior vice president of rides and platform Andrew Macdonald told Inc42. 

“We are supporting drivers and delivery people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in quarantine by a public health authority. Drivers and delivery people in these situations will receive compensation for a period of up to 14 days. This has already begun in some markets and we are working to implement mechanisms to do this worldwide. We believe this is the right thing to do,” Macdonald had added.

Indian cab-hailing services Ola has also been doing its bit to help the government and driving partners take the impact of coronavirus pandemic.  Media reports published this week highlighted that Ola cofounder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has proposed to offer 500 Ola Cabs to the Karnataka government for Covid-19 pandemic-related work. Under this, Ola will provide its cab for healthcare staffers, transportation of medicine and other essential healthcare services for emergencies.

Besides this, Ola has also set up a  ‘Drive the Driver Fund’ in order to assure financial stability for driver-partners working with Ola. To contribute to the fund, Aggarwal also decided to forgo a year’s salary. Besides this, Ola Group and its employees have also crowdfunded INR 20 Cr to help out the driver-partners.

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