Bengaluru: The recently launched air ambulance service made its debut by air lifting 25-year-old Sandeep who had developed severe respiratory problems from Toranagallu in Ballari district to Narayana Health City in Electronics City, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
The 325 km distance by road was covered in a matter of just an hour and 10 minutes with the helicopter service.
Based in Belagavi, Sandeep was in Ballari for a plant inspection and accidently fell into a pit with chemicals and gases while he was clicking pictures owing to which he developed severe respiratory problems. He was immediately taken to Jindal Sanjeevini Hospita, run by Narayana Health in Ballari.
However since Sandeep was in need of advanced emergency treatment, the hospital called for an air ambulance. Medical staff sedated and brought him to Bengaluru in the fully equipped air ambulance.
The private ambulance service, Aviators Air Rescue was recently launched in December 2016. Capt Arun Sharma, managing director of Aviators India Pvt Ltd, said the helicopter ferrying Sandeep landed at a site next to Narayana Health City.
“This is the first medical case. The patient was stabilised in the heli-ambulance,” he said.
The trip cost Sandeep around Rs 3.5 lakh, however had he taken a subscription, it would have cost him not more than Rs 18,000, Sharma added.
The air ambulance charges around Rs 1.75 lakhs an hour, but they have individual subscription that costs Rs 9,000 a year while a family subscription costs Rs 18,000. A patient who has subscribed for the service can use the service any number of times.
