Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals has launched an air ambulance service to connect small cities in the South. The hospital chain has partnered with Bengaluru-based Air Aviators Rescue for helicopters and logistics support.

The service will connect Madurai, Karaikudi, Karur, Tiruchi, Mysuru, Karimnagar, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam through its current hubs in Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The service costs ₹1.5 lakh for transporting patient across 250 km. Depending on the location the fee goes up to ₹5 lakh. The air ambulance will be staffed by emergency physicians and paramedics with the response time of 30 minutes.

Addressing media persons at the launch of the service, J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, said the service will reduce the time for critical care patients.

He said the government is in talks with few aviation companies to extend the service across the State either through rentals or affordable price. “We are working out an MoU to make it accessible to all,” he added.

Currently, Apollo Hospitals air transfers around 125-150 patients a year on an average through partnership with various aviation companies.

Preetha Reddy, Vice-Chairwoman, said launching air ambulance network that connect smaller towns creates an ecosystem that facilitates better access to tertiary care at the right time.

Arun Sharma, Managing Director, Aviators Air Rescue, said the demand for air ambulances is increasing in the South and partnering with Apollo will help them grow. The company gets 15-20 enquires and 25 per cent of them translate to business.

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