Private air ambulance firm makes a pitch to Karnataka govt

BENGALURU: A private helicopter emergency medical services firm on Thursday said it has offered to run air ambulance services in Karnataka and sought the state government’s partnership.
The firm, International Critical-Care Air Transfer Team, conducted a mock drill which saw dummy accident victims being transported from Mandya to Jakkur aerodrome. Co-founder Shalini Nilshad said: “We are thinking of making it a free service by tying up with the Karnataka government.Air ambulance teams attending to accident victims are often seen in the US, UK and other European countries.”
While she did not elaborate on how the company plans to fund the project, Shalini, however, said designated landing strips will be identified and created along highways in Karnataka, which could be used for choppers to land in case of accidents.
Deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan, who was present at Jakkur where the helicopter from Mandya landed, did not comment on ICATT’s proposal. Financial viability and sustainability have been the pain points of such projects in the past.
“Over the years, several air ambulance providers have shut shop. This business will be successful only when people can afford it. In other countries, these services are covered under insurance,” said Sanjay Mishra, MD of Air Rescuers Worldwide.