HAL launches heli-ambulance service

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has launched a specially-designed Chetak helicopter for emergency medical evacuation and air charter services in Bangalore.

HAL chairman Ashok K Baweja formally inaugurated the Vayu Vahan at the Rotary Wing Academy at the Bangalore Airport on Saturday. The helicopter is designed to undertake emergency evacuation of patients from areas around Bangalore to the main hospitals in the city which are equipped with a helipad.

"We are extending this facility to all persons, organisations and hospitals," Baweja said.

As of now, very few hospitals are equipped with helipad including Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, to receive patients through this service.

Baweja said the launch of the air ambulance service is in keeping with the growth in the aviation sector.

"The initiative will bring the aviation industry to the doorsteps of the masses. The concept of air ambulance is very popular abroad and the need for it in India has been felt by the medical fraternity for sometime now," Baweja said.

HAL will charge Rs 25,000 (per hour) for all planned and unplanned medical evacuations. The cost of normal charter operations is Rs 55,000 (per hour).

Baweja also announced that HAL's star product, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, will soon be pressed into service as part of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).

HAL chief test pilot Wg Cdr (Retd) C D Upadhyay said Vayu Vahan will play a pivotal role in saving lives within the 'golden hour.'

"HAL has set up a control room to receive SOS/charter calls to undertake the operations. Depending on the feasibility, a confirmation will be given quickly," Upadhyay said.

It may be recalled that during a recent national seminar on HEMS, many experts had felt that the Dhruv would be an ideal vehicle for mass-scale evacuation of casualty cases during natural calamities.