Coimbatore:
Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Coimbatore (ICCIC) on Saturday organised a meeting of heads of different hospitals in the city and various stakeholders to work out possibilities of a ‘Helicopter Emergency Medical Service System’ for the city. As per the project, people requiring emergency medical service in and around the city would be air-lifted from accident spots or residences to hospitals using helicopters which would function as ‘air ambulances.’
Addressing the gathering, chamber president M Krishnan said, a few top hospitals in the city have agreed to set up helipad to start the facility. Air ambulances would also boost city’s prospects as a hub of medical tourism, he said. “If implemented, Coimbatore will be the first Indian city to have the facility. It can ensure effective emergency and medical care,” he said.
According to Krishnan, the chamber was mooting the idea of a health care city in 500 acres in Coimbatore to provide affordable and quality healthcare for all. “Helicopter facility would boost this project also as roads in the region are very congested. Patients from hill stations like Ooty, Coonoor and Yercaud in Salem and from Erode and Tirupur districts are facing difficulty in reaching Coimbatore hospitals,” he said. “Air service can reduce the travel time considerably and help save many lives,” he added.
Dr S Rajasabapathy of Ganga hospital said many people lose their lives due to late arrival in hospitals after accidents. “A group of hospitals can collectively implement the helicopter facility and patients would be immensely benefitted,” he said. Rajasabapathy has conducted a feasibility study on the project in the city.
Caption Uday Gelli, flying expert and CEO of Mumbai-based Heligo Charters Private Limited, said a fully equipped helicopter can work as a hospital in the air and a joint effort can make it possible in Coimbatore. State planning board member Dr K Sridhar said the project can be easily implemented if trade, industry and hospitals join hands with state and central governments. “The cost can be reduced considerably if all these agencies joined together. If the Union government is able to reduce fuel cost of air ambulances and waive landing fees in airports, the project can be implemented easily,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN, April 29th, 2012
