Deccan Herald(27-06-2006)
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun272006/city2041512006626.asp
Hang onto life, air ambulance will save you
By Ashwini Y S
Bangalore: Soon, the Coast Guards’ Chetak helicopter that has been lying
idle at HAL for several months now, will be pressed into “air rescue” operations
This is because of the lack of aircraft and choppers for full time air rescue
operations in the City.
Deccan Aviation, the only certified air ambulance service provider in the
City, has a tie-up with Manipal Hospital, Bangalore.
But, according to Neurosurgeon Dr Venkatramana, founder of Comprehensive
Trauma Consortium (CTC), Manipal, the airlines has not entirely dedicated
its services for medical emergencies alone, which were posing problems.
“In recent days, calls for air rescue have increased. As choppers are not
readily available, we are finding it very difficult to meet the demand,”
he said, adding that the choppers were being used mostly by politicians and
for commercial purposes. Around 600 deaths take place due to road accidents
every year in Bangalore Rural district alone, making air rescue operations
indispensable, according to Dr Venkatramana.
“We have lost many lives during life-threatening situations, where surface
transportation can’t really serve the purpose. Bangalore-Mysore highway has
become infamous for the number of accidents that occur frequently,” he said,
adding that this is where air rescue operations provided by Deccan Aviation
had become very useful.
“Around 14 lives from around Bangalore have been saved in the past two years,”
he said, adding that very recently a patient from Davangere with severe head
injuries, was almost immediately treated, thanks to the service. “But Deccan
Aviation needs at least four calls a week in order to set aside another chopper
exclusively for air rescue operations,” he said.
Capt Jayant Poovaiah, Director, Deccan Aviation, speaking to Deccan Herald
said that it was important not to keep the chopper stationed and not flying
for long. “If we are assured that the hospital is going to make use of our
facility on a regular basis, then we can dedicate a chopper for air rescue
alone. We use the chopper for commercial purposes alongside this now,” he
said, maintaining that the chopper was hired by politicians during elections.
Chetak to the ‘rescue’
Dr Venkatramana said the Chetak chopper had now been sent to the Director
General of Civil Aviation, Lucknow, to ascertain its air worthiness.
“A clearance has been given and we can start using this chopper from the
first week of July. The Chetak will be fully equipped with all the medical
aids, and it will be parked in the City for immediate use,” he said.
He also said that talks would be held with the department heads of the HAL
in July, where logistics pertaining to costing, fixing pilots and the like
would be decided. “HAL will run the system with CTC,” he added.
POLICY MODIFICATION
Hiring charges for a Deccan Aviation chopper for an hour is Rs 65,000. To
make this service feasible to a larger populace, Insurance companies like
New India Insurance are working out alternatives.
Mr Sundar Raman, DGM, New India Insurance, Bangalore, said the Healthplus
Insurance was now being customised for individuals with above Rs 5 lakh health
insurance cover.
“Once we get the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) ‘File
and use’ approval, we are all set to go,” he added.
HURDLES TO RESCUE
Cost escalation, logistics and payment. (Up-front payment to be made to avail
this service)
Deccan Aviation operates only during the day.
Availability of the chopper at all times, improbable.
No permission for choppers to land on top of buildings in the country. As
a result, not many hospitals can utilise air ambulance services.
THE EVACUATION PROCESS
CTC toll free number 1062
Location, condition and fitness to be reported
The pilot has to get flight clearance, until which time the patient needs
to be stabilised by a local doctor
A temporary helipad at the Manipal Hospital receives the patient for further
treatment.