Northeast is all set to get India’s first ever air Dispensary. India’s first-ever “air dispensary” based on a helicopter will be launched in Northeast region. The announcement was made by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh.
In June 30, 2017 Dr Jitendra Singh who is also Minister of State PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space had shared his plans regarding the launch of such facility while he was addressing the Elets 7th Healthcare Leaders Forum (HLF) Delhi.
He has already provided Rs.25 Crore as an initial funding for India’s first ever air dispensary. Government has accepted his proposal and is in the final stage at in the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
As per the statements of Dr Jitendra, the helicopter will be based at two locations, namely Imphal in Manipur and Meghalaya in Shillong. Both cities have postgraduate medical institutes from where it will be easy for the service to take specialist doctors and necessary equipment and paramedical staff into the helicopter.
The same hospitals will also be used to transport a sick patient, requiring admission, to a city hospital on their way back. As per the plans initially three twin-engine helicopters are planned to be placed for initial operation on six routes in the region around Imphal, Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
Currently almost one third of India’s population is lacking of proper hospital bed care. Most of such population comprise of poor patients living in remote areas. If this initiative gets successful it will be great for poor patients living in remote areas who remain deprived of crucial medical care.
