Nepal government has mentioned about procuring an Air Ambulance as per the new budget announcement for emergency medical evacuation of pregnant women from remote areas. Finance Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada stated about managing an air ambulance in the budget announcement which is expected to operate in Nepal under the maternal infant program.
The discussion of having an Air ambulance is becoming a long term process and this is not the first time it happened. Even though the discussions were made but the government has not been able to bring it to the reality.
The government initially tried to purchase Air ambulance on their own but after its operation and management was reported to be expensive, it had planned to launch the air ambulance service through the tender process.
The process of implementing the service will be finalized within this Asar and implement it from Shrawan. The budget for air ambulance is fixed says spokesperson of health and population ministry Mahendra Prasad Shrestha.
The government has proposed to provide service not only to pregnant but also to others who are in need via ‘Night Vision’ helicopter that can also be helpful during night time. Before it was not possible for operation of pregnant women in most of rural areas and government had proposed for providing services by air lifting however it has not been done.
Currently, private sector has been providing air ambulance service in such rural areas where there are no or dangerous road ways. Nepal Medical Association General Secretary Dr. Lochan Karki stated that not only air ambulance but entire ambulance system must be changed.
