Time plays a crucial role during medical emergencies and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), also known as Air Ambulance, have proven track record in saving lives by reducing time delay. Speed delivery of vital medical service to patients in life-threatening situations greatly improves both survival and recovery. Moreover once the survival is ensured, Air Ambulance greatly helps in minimising the risk of permanent injury to the surviving patients. All this is made possible since Air Ambulance helicopters can cover vast distance faster than road ambulance and land closer to a hospital, thus saving precious time. In the context of Chennai, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital is the only hospital facility where Air Ambulance can land right next to our emergency unit.
Understanding the need of emergency care in Chennai’s Industrial Hub on NH 48, the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital has joined hands with Aviator Air Rescue to launch Mission Air Rescue with live demonstration of Air Ambulance service. Arun Sharma, Director — Aviator Air Rescue said that he was inspired to start Air Ambulance service because 30 years back he had an opportunity to witness first hand, the effectiveness of such services.
He said Air Ambulance service can be made cost effective by implementing yearly subscription model for families and individuals. Ponniah IAS, Collector of Kancheepuram and the chief guest for the programme highlighted the need for strengthening emergency care in industrial corridor and its vicinity.
He greatly appreciated the role of Saveetha Hospital in providing emergency care and hoped that the air ambulance service will aid in saving precious lives. Collector suggested that since this facility can be of immense use to general public, similar to solar panels, efforts should be made to further reduce cost factor by requesting for subsidy from central government.