Sindh Launches Air Ambulance Service

The Sindh provincial government has launched a free air ambulance service, aiming to provide life-saving transportation for critically ill patients from remote areas to major hospitals in Karachi. The service, initiated under the Local Government Council Association, marks a milestone in the province’s healthcare infrastructure.

In a ceremony held on Monday, Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani signed an agreement with Airlift Sales and Services Limited (ASSL) to operate the free air ambulance service. The ministers emphasized the importance of this project, highlighting how it would address the long-standing challenges of transporting patients from distant cities like Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur to Karachi, where advanced medical facilities are available.

Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani underscored the urgency of this service, pointing out that the current ground transportation from these cities, which are located approximately six hours away from Karachi, often results in critical delays. “Now, with the start of the air ambulance service, we will be able to save precious lives,” Ghani stated.

Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah further elaborated on the expansion plans for the air ambulance service, indicating that it would soon cover additional regions including Hyderabad, Thar, Nawabshah, and Larkana. He also mentioned potential operations at the airstrips in Badin, demonstrating the government’s commitment to extending this vital service to even more remote areas.

Syed Kamil Haider Shah, Chairman of the Local Council Association, provided further details about the initiative. He noted that the service would not only cater to patients within Sindh but also extend to those in South Punjab and North Sindh, making it a regional effort to improve emergency healthcare access. “The air ambulance service being launched in Sindh will allow patients to be transported from South Punjab and North Sindh to Karachi, potentially saving their lives,” he said.

According to Shah, the service will initially operate five free flights per month for the district councils of Sukkur, Ghotki, and Khairpur, under contracts signed with ASSL Aviation. This partnership reflects a collaborative approach between local government bodies and private aviation companies to address critical healthcare needs.

ASSL CEO Akbar Jafri provided insights into the operational aspects of the service. He mentioned that the company has been successfully providing air ambulance services across Pakistan, including cities like Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Quetta, and Balochistan. “Now, we are starting the air ambulance service from Sukkur to Karachi,” Jafri announced, indicating the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s efforts to support emergency medical transportation in Sindh.

Jafri explained that the aircraft provided under this service is fully equipped with the necessary medical facilities, including stents, ventilators, and oxygen, and staffed by qualified doctors and paramedical personnel.