Malick Tine: the ambulance cart serving rural communities

A journey shaped by ingenuity and resilience

Malick Tine’s story begins in a region where access to infrastructure and resources is limited. Very early on, he showed a fascination for recovery and craftsmanship. This passion led him, in 1985, to win first prize at the Scientific and Technical Youth Conference in Toulouse, with his comrade Adama Christian Diop. This success marks the start of a promising trajectory.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in general mechanics in 1991, Malick Tine specialized in industry and design. Self-taught and curious, he deepens his skills by studying simple but essential mechanisms, often inspired by his immediate environment. This approach allows it to design concrete solutions to meet the needs of isolated communities.

The genesis of the ambulance cart

Among his most emblematic works, The Ambulance Cart occupies a central place. This animal-powered vehicle, designed to respond to the lack of ambulances in rural areas, is much more than a simple means of transport. The idea for The Ambulance Cart germinated in 2018 during a visit to a rural area. Tine says:

“The idea came to me during an outing in the countryside where I encountered a cart carrying a pregnant woman. This is very recurrent in these isolated areas where there is a glaring lack of ambulance vehicles. So, I told myself that the solution is only technical. Given that I studied industry and design, I was able to create this prototype which took me years of design with a fairly substantial budget. »

For years, Malick Tine has been working on this project. It conducts field surveys to understand user expectations and integrate safety and comfort criteria.

Multifunctional solutions

But Malick Tine’s vision goes beyond medical emergencies. The ambulance cart is a technical and social feat.

A fitted cabin: capable of accommodating a patient lying on an adjustable stretcher, three companions can also take their place.
Energy autonomy: a solar panel installed on the roof powers a fan, lamps and rotating lights. This energy source guarantees lighting and visibility even in remote areas.
Comfort adapted to rural trails: the shock absorbers absorb the shocks of uneven tracks, protecting the patient from jolts harmful to their health.
Versatile functions: the benches are foldable, allowing the cart to be transformed into transport for schoolchildren or goods.

Safety first!

The designer attaches crucial importance to safety. In addition to rotating lights and lamps to signal the vehicle at night, he reinforced the structure to avoid common accidents associated with traditional carts.

“I carried out investigations to be able to comply with the specifications, particularly safety because it is very common to see road accidents with these carts due to lack of visibility. So, I incorporated light signals, lamps and flashing lights into this system to minimize the risks. »Malick tells us before adding “In addition to security, I installed a fairly special security system. I put shock absorbers because it involves riding on rough tracks. The patient who is inside must not be subjected to physical constraints given their state of health. There is at the same time a stretcher inside which is adjustable »

A model for the future

Beyond this innovation, Malick Tine has a broader ambition with his Eco-mobile Technological Solution project. This concept aims to create a production unit capable of meeting the mobility and equipment needs of rural populations. In addition to adapted vehicles, it offers tools such as solar dryers, smokers and processing machines to support women entrepreneurs in their agri-food activities.

However, to realize his ambitions, Malick Tine faces logistical and financial challenges. He appeals to the authorities and partners for increased support, particularly in terms of land and financing, in order to mass produce and extend his project beyond the borders of Senegal.

With Eco-mobile Technological Solution, Malick Tine does not just respond to the immediate needs of rural populations: he redefines the way in which industrial design can be a driver of social and economic progress in Africa.

A bold vision that deserves to be supported and developed.