Manipal Hospital, has tied up with Airports Authority of India (AAI) by setting up Manipal Clinic at the Bangalore international airport. The services are free of cost and will cater to the passengers as well as the visitors who come to the airport. It will work round the clock and is equipped to provide first aid and guide the passengers about the various medical facilities in Bangalore.

The clinic will be equipped with two doctors, an ambulance and oxygen. The doctors will be trained to handle the common aircraft related medical problems like ear aches, Deep Vein Thrombosis, where blood clots are found in the legs due to long hours of air travel and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation where the sick passenger will be initially put on a ventilator before rushing him to either Manipal Hospital or any other preferred medical centres.

Special arrangements have been provided for passengers falling sick after entering the Security hold area. They can inform the staff of the concerned airline which will ensure the availability of a doctor from the clinic to rush to the security hold area itself. This would avoid passengers to come out of the area after having checked in.

SRR Rao, regional executive director Airports Authority of India inaugurated the clinic. He said that the clinic was as important to the airport as flight safety.

The concept of such a clinic in an Airport has been worked out for the first time in the country where a corporate healthcare provider has been called upon in providing free medical services for air travellers. There are healthcare providers in airports offering elementary health check ups like blood pressure and blood sugar on a payment basis, informed R Basil, chief executive officer, Manipal Hospital.

Bangalore airport handles around 88 flights and 7,000 passengers daily. All airlines with services from Bangalore have been advised to make their staff aware of the facility. Innovative posters have also been put up at various locations in the Terminal complex.