It seems like international air ambulance scene is fast evolving. After the most populated country in the world, China, adopted air ambulances, it is now the turn of the second most populous country in the world, India, to do so. Recent reports have suggested that India would soon get a nationwide air ambulance service. The signing of a tripartite agreement between India-based Aviators Air Rescue and the US-based Air Medical Group Holdings and Airbus Helicopters has marked the beginning of the new service which could certainly have a positive impact on the international air ambulance scenario.
A Huge Country like India Demands Several Air Ambulances
The air ambulance service providers have recognized the fact that they would need to have a good reach for the venture to be successful. Initially, three EC135 T3/P3 choppers would be put into action. The plan is to increase the fleet by 11 choppers a year. The services will initially be limited to the southern Indian states. The expectation is to cover the entire country within three years of commencement of air ambulance services. The venture is slated to take off by the end of 2015.
There is an Effort to Make Air Ambulance Services Affordable
There has been a concerted effort on the part of air ambulance service providers to take the services to the not-so-rich people of India. Efforts are being made to tie up with hospitals throughout the country and more importantly, health insurance providers. Of course, people would have to purchase the additional coverage to avail the services. The aim is to make the additional insurance cover affordable to common man in India. The initial investment on the three choppers has been about $60 million. The air ambulance service providers, however, will not be compromising on quality of medical services. Each air medical flight would be operated by two pilots along with two qualified medical crew members.
