Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to promote and establish a network of rural helicopter ambulance services;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is aware of the requirement of such a service owing to the shortage of options for immediate transportation of patients from rural and remote areas; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): Presently, the Government has no proposal to promote and establish a network of rural helicopter ambulance services.
(c) & (d): Such a service can expedite transportation of patients from rural and remote areas.
However, ‘Public health and hospitals’ being a State subject, the primary responsibility to provide health care services lies with the respective State/UT Governments, including transportation of patients from rural and remote areas.
Presently no support is provided by this Ministry for establishment of network of rural helicopter ambulance services. However, under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial and technical support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems including support for ambulance service for immediate transportation of patients from rural and remote areas, based on the requirements posed by the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope.