Private sector healthcare is unaffordable for the Indian population. Private hospitals are beyond the reach of millions. Today, private healthcare is at a stage where the information technology industry (IT) was a few years back Considering India's vast geography, there is no air ambulance provided by private healthcare providers except during an emergency.

In a presentation on the second day of an international seminar on “Role of Private Sector in Healthcare in India” organised by the Indian Society of Health Administrators (ISHA) in collaboration with the International Health Summit and the International Hospital Federation, United Kingdom, Dr. Anil Mehra, medical director, Indian Aeronautical Services Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the future perspective private sector in healthcare and the role of air ambulances in the private healthcare sector.

The advent of a few private air ambulances has played a major role in the reduction of morbidity and mortality. So long the air ambulance services were only provided by the defence sector- Army, Navy and Air Force. There is a need for Emergency Medical Service Commercial Airlines where the benefit of telemedicine will enable passengers to be monitored if not treated by specialists. The Emergency Medical Service Commercial Airlines need to be equipped with physicians and first aid kits. The training of aircrew to the level of para medicals is an important aspect of the Emergency Medical Service Commercial Airlines, informed Dr. Anil Mehra.

Highlighting the major problems faced by air ambulances services launched by the private sector, Dr. Anil Mehra said there were no helipads at most hospitals in the country. There are no specific guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for air ambulance services. There were restrictions by the Airports Authority of India. The private road ambulances cannot be taken inside the airport for loading or off loading passengers. There were also no airport passes for doctors and other staff of the air ambulance services. In addition, there was no permission granted for night landing.

He further added that air turbine fuel was expensive and there was no subsidy from the state/central government. Although the air ambulance services are steep, the facility of transporting patients for from the remote areas had to be looked into.

According to Dr. Anil Mehra, the current bed strength in India is 0.7 beds per thousand patients as against 3 beds per thousand patients in the developed countries. Around 32 per cent of the national bed strength is in the 150 private corporate hospitals. It is estimated that the demand of another 80,000 beds per year for the next five years. Eighty percent of Indian medical personnel work in the private sector.

He further pointed out that most private hospitals in India provided good healthcare facilities. The post hospital care was improving, but the major lacunae in India is the pre-hospital medical management and the Emergency medical services has to be the top most priority where air ambulance services has to be an integral part of the system.