India needs to do away with some procedures for HEMS operation

India needs to do away with some of the regulatory procedures and taxes and decontrol airspace restrictions to have a successful and dedicated helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), according to experts.
"India is a matured market but procedures like filing of flight plan and others, which take around three to four hours, to get clearances for a helicopter to fly with HEMS crew after getting a call affects its effectiveness," Michael Rudolph, head of Public and Government Affairs and HEMS expert in Eurocopter, said.
He suggested that HEMS could be kept out of the ambit of the rules.
Rudolph said talks with officials from Health and Civil Aviation ministries showed that they were open minded and there was also "political will" to consider introducing HEMS in the country.

"I feel it could become reality within two to three years," he said.
For an HEMS operation to be successful and effective, Rudolph said there should be opening of lower airspace.
"Unlike China and other western countries, India doesn't have open sky policy. Airspace is fully controlled by the military, especially lower airspace which is maximum 5,000 feet. Opening up of lower airspace is a prerequisite," he said, adding it's important to save lives by appropriate action during the "golden hour".
In emergency parlance, the "golden hour" refers to a time period lasting from a few minutes to several hours following traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death.