A total of 34 patients and 45 human organs have been airlifted over the past four years under the air ambulance service operated by Gujarat Emergency Medical Services Authority (GEMSA) through Emergency Service 108, officials said.
The air ambulance service was launched in March 2022, making Gujarat the first state in the country to provide integrated emergency response through road ambulances, boat ambulances and air ambulances.
Since its inception, 34 critically ill patients have been airlifted to hospitals in different cities for advanced treatment. Among them, the highest number of cases involved brain stroke patients. In addition, several patients suffering from cardiac and lung-related ailments were transported by air during medical emergencies. Officials said that patients were airlifted on routes including Surat-Mumbai, Ahmedabad-Chennai, Dehradun-Surat, Hyderabad-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Rajkot-Mumbai and Rajkot-Chennai, depending on medical requirements and availability of specialised facilities.
Apart from patient transfers, 45 organs meant for transplantation were also transported swiftly to ensure timely procedures. The current operational cost of the air ambulance service in Gujarat ranges between ₹55,000 and ₹60,000 per hour, which authorities said is nearly half the cost charged by private operators.
The air ambulances are equipped with intensive care facilities, including ventilators, oxygen cylinders, ECG monitors and trained paramedical staff, enabling critical care during transit.
The service operates from airports, airfields and airstrips across the state and is deployed in cases where rapid transportation is crucial for saving lives, officials added.