A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the Karachi airport on 12 August between the Local Councils Association Sindh (LCAS) and the Aircraft Sales & Services Limited (ASSL) for launching a free air ambulance service for emergency evacuation of patients from Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur to the provincial capital.
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said on the occasion that the new air ambulance service would ensure speedy transportation of critically injured patients from the three cities to Karachi for their emergency treatment.
Ghani said that a proper agreement to this effect would be signed between the local councils of the three cities and the ASSL. He said that speedy transportation of critically injured patients from faraway cities and towns, at six hours’ distance from Karachi, has always been a challenging task.
He also said during the MoU signing ceremony that launching an air ambulance service for this cause is a major achievement to ensure saving precious lives. Energy and Planning & Development Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said on the occasion that launching the air ambulance service in the province is in accordance with the vision of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Shah said that the delay in transporting critically injured journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar from Sukkur to Karachi after he came under attack had proved fatal in his case. He said that landing strips available in Badin would also be used to launch the air ambulance service.
LCAS Chairman Syed Kumail Hyder Shah said that the upcoming air ambulance service would ensure speedy evacuation of patients from southern Punjab and northern Sindh to save their lives.
ASSL CEO Akbar Jafferi said his company has been providing air ambulance services for the entire country. He said that emergency evacuation of patients is being done from Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Quetta, and other towns of Balochistan.
Jafferi said that the air ambulance service to be launched for three cities of Sindh would be equipped with the facilities of stretchers, ventilators, oxygen supply, doctors, and paramedical staff.
Published in News Daily on 13-August-2024.