Air ambulance to connect KGMU with entire UP

If things go according to plan, the state will soon have its own air ambulance system, which would swiftly bring critical patients from across the state to the well-equipped King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow.

Presently, the air lift facility is available only in hospitals in New Delhi who get patients picked up from towns with airports. The trip is expensive with costs over Rs 2 lakh for a patient going from Lucknow to the national capital.

“The proposal is being studied by the director general, civil aviation (DGCA) for smooth running of such a service in the state. Two spots have been identified around KGMU to land helicopter with patients from different places,” said KGMU vice-chancellor Prof Ravi Kant.

When launched, the service will not only be cheaper but will help cut down on the time it takes in reaching Delhi. As any doctor would tell, time is crucial when it comes to treating critical patients.

“Shifting patients from Gorakhpur to Lucknow will be faster than taking them to New Delhi,” explained Dr Abhishek Shukla, director of Aastha Hospice.

Eminent orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sandeep Kapoor said time is crucial in treating patients, particularly those with severe injuries in road accidents or those who are on life-support system. “Less time taken in shifting would be advantageous for the patients,” Dr Kapoor said.

According to the proposal, KGMU shall remain the hub for medical support in the state while patients will be airlifted from all those districts that have airports, air strips or basic facility for carrying out helicopter operations.