Air ambulance service providing prompt facilities to patients: minister

LAHORE:Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique has said the goal of the Punjab Air Ambulance Service is to provide prompt modern medical facilities to patients from remote areas.

Khawaja Salman and Parliamentary Secretary Ziaullah Shah visited Lahore Airport to review the Air Ambulance Service. Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer was also present on the occasion. The minister and secretary met with the staff assigned to the Air Ambulance Service. A comprehensive presentation was also given at the Air Eagle Academy on the importance of the Air Ambulance Service. Aircraft were also reviewed on the occasion. Khawaja Salman said that as per the vision of Punjab CM, the air ambulance service is running successfully.

‘124 seriously ill and injured patients have been transferred from remote areas so far. 72 patients have been transferred to Bahawalnagar, 42 to Mianwali, 2 to Rahim Yar Khan, while one patient each has been transferred from Bahawalpur, Parachinar, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. ‘So far, 103 cardiology, 12 spinal injury, 2 head injury and 7 other sick and seriously ill patients have been transferred. We also thank the Shaheen Foundation for its cooperation in this entire effort. I have been working for the improvement of the health sector for the last fifteen years. ‘We will also increase services in Fort Abbas. Punjab CM has already announced the construction of airports in Bhakkar and Bahawalnagar. We pay tribute to the rescue workers who shifted patients from remote areas,’ the minister said.

‘Air ambulance service of the Punjab government is proving to be a revolutionary step for prompt medical assistance. The air ambulance service is the flagship programme of the Punjab government, the minister added. Retired Air Commodore Khalid Cheema said, ‘We will cooperate best welfare project of the people.’