National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) set up by the Central government, is working on a policy draft recommending the use of helicopter borne emergency medical services (EMS) as air ambulances in the country. NDMA is in the process of forming a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the purpose.

Eight battalions of the force would be created. The helicopter-borne training is a vital component done along with Indian Air Force and para-military forces. "After the capacity building is done India should look at public-private-partnership initiatives to ensure smooth operation of NDRF. There has been a paradigm shift in the government's approach to rescue operations. It adheres to National Disaster Management Act 2005 for all pre disaster measures," stated KM Singh( IPS) member, National Disaster Management Authority, government of India at the two-day National seminar on Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and Air Ambulance organized by the Rotary Wing Society of India.

India should utilize helicopter as a viable transport for medical services. Air evacuation provides fast, reliable and safe transport of patients from remote areas, stated Singh.

"In the US, 792 private medical helicopters carry out 3,00,000 medical emergencies annually. This includes 50 per cent evacuation from accidents and remaining are transfers from small sub-urban hospitals. The cost of flight transport works to $10,000 per patient. Even if high cost of operation is a deterrent, there are the larger economic benefits because of better patient outcomes than ground ambulances. With quicker medical attention offered, the economies of scale tip in favour of patients returning to work early leading to lower hospitalisation cost because of faster discharge. India should devise a model to capitalize on the benefits of air evacuation, Bill Byrant, president, Sierra Health Group, Texas, USA in his keynote address.

HAL chairman Ashok Baweja proposed a pilot project in Bangalore which is a healthcare hub in the country. The aircraft manufacturer offered the viability of its helicopters Chetan, Chetak and Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter), which are designed in medical emergency service role to be put into operation as a part of the capacity building exercise by NDMA. Private air operators could also capitalize a business opportunity in the wake of medical tourism boom in India, he added.

Although funds were an issue, there are several other constraints including those from the regulatory authority and lack of helicopters. However capacity building in EMS was a crucial for the country, noted the aviation experts.