New Delhi   

A modern hospital in the sky

Staff Reporter

Pact signed to launch India's first air ambulance service

NEW DELHI: India's low-cost airline Air Deccan has joined hands with the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre (EHIRC) in the Capital to launch the country's first dedicated air ambulance that is equipped to deliver critical care to patients even at 10,000 feet in the sky.

Called `Air Rescue One' , this hospital in the sky has a fleet of eight helicopters and two Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with full logistical and ground support provided by Deccan Aviation. The EHIRC would be responsible for total medical rescue operation and equipment.

"It is going to be a concerted effort and will cater to the dual aspects of being easily accessible and professional. This was previously being done in a very ad hoc manner. Now with the creation of the service, it has been ensured that drug and the right equipment will be available for trauma care in time. We are also in dialogue with insurance companies so that the services can be extended to the common man which is what happens globally,'' said Deccan Aviation Managing Director G. R. Gopinath.

With the service pegged at Rs 45,000-50,000 for an hour's flight and Rs 30,000 as fixed medical charges, the facility could well be out of reach of the common man at present.

However, Capt. Gopinath informed that he was holding talks with general insurance firms to work out a policy to cover air ambulance costs.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Ministers, MLAs flouting Sonia's directive on ethics
`Patients First' launched for safe medical care
Old woman murdered
School education may become costly
DDA officials to have say in their own promotions?
`Civil dispute given the colour of criminal offence'
`World needs to follow the path of non-violence'
A modern hospital in the sky
Two more dengue deaths in the Capital
DPCC constitutes Ethics Committee
Japanese delegation calls on Sheila Dikshit
CBI asked to probe phone tapping case
Jilted lover shoots woman
Ill-treatment forced victim to leave home
High Court orders probe
Around the City
Briefly

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu