AFTER PUBLIC Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin gave the green light for launching emergency air ambulance service in five tourist cities, seven private companies expressed interest in joining in, Amarin TV said today (Nov. 2).
Gp. Capt. Dr. Atchariya Paengma, secretary-general of the National Institute of Emergency Medicine, said the five tourist cities are Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Phukut and Surat Thani (Koh Samui).
The seven companies interest in this service are Bangkok Helicopter Services Co., Ltd.; Thai Aviation Services Co., Ltd; United Offshore Aviation Co., Ltd.; Siam Land Flying Co., Ltd.; SFS Aviation Co., Ltd.; Princ Suvarnabhumi Hospital; and Pitsanuvej Hospital.
These companies have been told to present their readiness in implementing air medical service to a committee appointed by the institute to consider their operational potential.
This is aimed at gearing up Thailand to reach international excellence in terms of medical and civil aviation services.
The plan is to eventually increase the service to two provinces per region with the minister wanting air medical service to be available at all times to reduce the mortality rate of critical-ill patients.
Currently in operation is the Sky Doctor service launched in 2010 by this institute to airlift emergency patients in rural and remote areas of Thailand.
This service undertook 401 flights from 2021 to 2023 in three health regions, namely Health Region 1 (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son), Health Region 2 (Tak, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and Sukhothai), and Health Region 11 (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Ranong, and Chumphon).
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Top and Front Page: The Thai army’s helicopter ambulance. Photos: Amarin TV
Insert: Gp. Capt. Dr. Atchariya Paengma, Photo: Amarin TV
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