The Air Ambulance is a specially designed helicopter used to transport patients; injured or sick, to the required higher-level facility (Hospital) from those areas which are not easily accessible by roads.Similarly in hilly areas; where direct approach through roads badly effects the response time needed for fast medical assistance. The emergency services of a country shall have a remarkable change in the trend of death ratios recorded in the past. For example in Pakistan, most of the hilly areas don’t have proper road infrastructure and health facilities. The developed countries are employing modern modes of transport for critically ill or sick patients since 1870 . Let us have look at comparison and needs including the affordability factor of this Air Ambulance in developing countries i.e Pakistan.
History of Air Ambulance
The first Air Ambulance service for Civilians was established in 1947- Los Angeles. Following World War II, the need for airplanes to have ambulance services generated a huge wave to mobilize aircraft manufacturers to develop industry of air ambulances. In 1917 the Britishers used air ambulances for medical assistance in Turkey. Similarly, A French Air service plane shifted a Serbian officer to a hospital for further medical treatment. The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia was an early civilian air medical transport system in 1928. Air ambulances became more common in World War II.
The Need for Air Ambulance
Hilly places have limited facilities including health and road infrastructure. In case of any incident, it is not an easy task for responding ambulance or emergency service to respond on time. As per the medical concept, the golden hour is the key to saving any life. The patient’s survival depends upon the responding time of emergency services. The chances of recovery depend upon the time of transport; from the incident site to a higher-level facility. This all is necessitating the need for fast medical assistance in the form of the air ambulance.
Per Emergency Cost of Air Ambulance
The per emergency cost mean the expenditure a service provider shall bear for attending one emergency. It is always reported in the form of an average figure. This figure must be in reasonable range although there is nothing more important than the life of humans or even animals. according to a recent report published on a well know website, the emergency cost significantly increased from $16000 to $25000 – 2017 to 2020. After the COVID-19 these prices are no more affordable for people in developed countries even in USA. The cost of both rotary-wing type and fixed-wing type air ambulances has increased now. Therefore it is up to Governments to choose whether they need these services or not.Before deciding governments must consider all the operational and economical aspects of this service i.e service areas, hospital structure, etc.
Air Ambulance for what type of Patients?
All over the world, this type of service is available for the patients or victims located at sites that are not easily reachable through roads. The victims after a disaster; Floods, Earthquakes,Cyclones etc also need the rapid mean of transport to save places i.e. shelters. The superficial and trapped victims need early and safe evacuation from the incident site. Furthermore, the cardiac patients who require advanced medical treatment will be transported to the nearby equipped hospital. The bottom line is, The patients; having chronic respiratory disorder, cardiac issues, organ failure, multiple organ failure, or any other who shall be referred by the consultant, will avail of this facility.
Benefits of Air ambulance
This ambulance service shall provide significant benefits and many advantages that are still in forecasting. But the following apparently benefits are clear:
- The first and the most important benefit of Air ambulances is that they can save a life. The long-distance through roads is always difficult for a patient and their families.
- The air ambulance will approach with a professional doctor and all necessary life-saving equipment needed for instant medical care.
- It is a fast, safe, and convenient means of transport. The professional doctor can fly with the patient if required to keep an eye on the condition of the victim or patient.
Should it be Free of Cost?
The developed countries are providing this means of transport to their citizens for decades. It is a need to mention that this service is not free of cost even in the developed countries due to its heavy per emergency cost. This cost is not a burden on the citizen of these countries due to health insurance. The insurance companies pay the charges of these emergencies to the Emergency Services Department. In Punjab a province of Pakistan is starting this Air Ambulance service very soon through Punjab Emergency Service Department Rescue 1122. But it is not clear till now whether it would be free of cost or the government will charge for the emergency. This service might face some problems during the operational phase. We shall share the details in the upcoming session.
Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.