Mangaluru : Bengaluru and Mangaluru other major cities will have bike ambulances from April 15.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader told presspersons here on Monday that of the 32 bike ambulances to be launched, 20 will hit Bengaluru streets, while Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Shivamogga will get two each.

He said male nurses will ride the bike ambulances to reach the needy. Besides basic equipment for first aid, it will also have facilities to provide oxygen to patients, he said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will launch the bike ambulances.

On Tuesday, the State government will launch the five-district programme, Indradhanush Abhiyan — aimed at giving liquid pentavalent vaccine for pregnant women and children aged under two years, who have not been given vaccines or have missed some of the vaccines, in Bengaluru.

The vaccine is a prevention against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae Type b).

The districts to be covered are Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Bengaluru Urban (including BBMP area).