Taking Flight to Save Lives: The Urgent Need for Air Ambulances in India

Dear Editor, In India, delivering timely health care remains challenging due to its geographical vastness. Access to timely and optimal care during the “golden hour,” is crucial for addressing strokes, heart attacks, or road traffic accidents and is pivotal in India’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Despite efforts, the strain of these emergencies demands prompt patient transportation via air ambulances. Ensuring the availability of air ambulances and prioritizing tribal and hard-to-reach locations, considering limited geographic access will help save lives and achieve UHC. In 2019, stroke cases in India rose to 1.29 million, resulting in 0.69 million deaths, while road traffic accidents attributed to over 173,000 deaths.[1,2] Emergency transport in India is mainly provided through equipped, road-based vehicles called 108 ambulances. However, delays in reaching tribal or hard-to-reach areas contribute to adverse health outcomes affecting populations.[3] To address this, air ambulances, fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, offer a quicker and more efficient mode of transportation in areas with limited road access, thus providing timely access to health-care services. The air medical transport system is a valuable asset in reducing the time required for treatment to patients suffering from stroke and trauma. It reduces over 40 min of travel time reaching inaccessible areas and offers specialized health-care equipment and skilled personnel.[4] India can draw inspiration from successful air ambulance models worldwide. US, Canada, and Australia have well-established air ambulance networks as well as some South Asian countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China who have been operating air ambulance services for over a decade. In India, private hospitals and agencies offer air medical transport services, primarily focusing on international patient transfers in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Rishikesh, a city in India, will be first to start public-funded air ambulance services in the coming years at All India Institute of Medical Sciences providing services within 150 km.[5] Establishing air ambulance services across India targeting inaccessible locations is crucial because the potential cost of not implementing such services outweighs the cost of delayed medical care. Timely access reduces the burden of hospital stays and intensive medical treatments, thereby reducing the mortality rate of the country. Operationalizing air ambulances can be achieved through public–private partnership by leveraging the preexisting air ambulances in the private sector. Increasing fund allocation to health care for air ambulance and integrating telemedicine will enhance quality of care during transit. Investing in training can build a workforce ready to tackle medical emergencies with precision. In conclusion, a robust air ambulance network is necessary to ensure timely management during medical emergency. India can draw inspiration from other nations to develop a sustainable and effective air ambulance system that ensures prompt medical care during the golden hour. Air ambulance services must be prioritized to those who lack access to services through increased investments in health-care services, thus ultimately achieving UHC. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.