PM Shri Air Ambulance Service is effective in providing emergency medical care : Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that every life is invaluable, and with this spirit, the PM Shri Air Ambulance facility has been launched in Madhya Pradesh to provide advanced medical care during emergency situations. He stressed the need for widespread awareness of this facility and effective implementation through strong inter-departmental coordination at the district level. Dr. Yadav further directed that in areas lacking advanced healthcare infrastructure, proposals should be prepared to establish hospitals under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He conducted a detailed review of the PM Shri Air Ambulance Service Scheme at Samatva Bhawan (Chief Minister’s residence) and instructed the Home, Health, and Aviation Departments to work in close coordination to ensure optimal use of the service. He said that with better implementation, this initiative will play a vital role in saving precious lives.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that in emergency situations such as road accidents or natural disasters, trauma units and teams of trained doctors should be immediately transported to the site using the air ambulance service. He also stressed the urgent need to develop landing infrastructure in sensitive and high-risk areas to ensure effective utilization of the air ambulance facility. Dr. Yadav directed officials to identify locations where road accidents are frequent and to formulate a strategic plan for ensuring swift transportation of victims from these areas to trauma centers. This, he said, would enable timely and efficient medical assistance to those in need.

CM Dr. Yadav instructed Civil Surgeons, Chief Medical and Health Officers, Collectors, and the Police Administration to maintain constant coordination and to promptly utilize the air ambulance service when necessary. Additionally, he directed that departmental officers at the district level be made fully aware of the provisions and services offered under the scheme to ensure its smooth implementation.

Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain said in the meeting that golden hour treatment is extremely important in road accidents and disasters. For this, provisions of necessary services are being made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. There is a need to ensure better use and management of services by contacting the ministry. Director General of Police Shri Kailash Makwana, Additional Chief Secretary Home Shri J. N. Kansotia, Additional Chief Secretary Chief Minister’s Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Principal Secretary Culture and Tourism Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Health Shri Sandeep Yadav, Commissioner Aviation Shri Chandramouli Shukla and senior departmental officers were present.

So far 61 patients have benefited from PM Shri Air Ambulance service

During the meeting, it was informed that a total of 61 patients have benefited from the PM Shri Air Ambulance service so far. Of these, 52 patients received the service free of cost, while 9 availed it as a paid facility. Among these cases, the highest number—19 patients—were from Rewa district, with 17 receiving the service free of charge. In addition, the service was extended to 11 patients from Jabalpur, 8 from Bhopal, 6 from Chhatarpur, and 3 each from Gwalior and Delhi. Two patients each from Balaghat, Indore, and Panna, and one patient each from Betul, Katni, Narsinghpur, Satna, and Ujjain also benefited from the air ambulance facility.Of the 61 cases, the largest number—14—were related to heart disease. There were 10 cases of respiratory illness, 7 cases of road accidents, and 6 cases involving head and spinal injuries. Additionally, 3 patients each suffering from liver disease and requiring organ donation, as well as 2 cases each of kidney disease and burn injuries, were transported to higher medical institutions. The remaining 14 were critical cases that required immediate referral and emergency medical attention.

Through the PM Shri Air Ambulance Service, patients facing medical emergencies in any part of the state, including remote and geographically challenging areas, are provided with advanced emergency medical care on-site and then airlifted to higher medical centers. The service currently operates one helicopter ambulance and one fixed-wing aircraft converted into a flying ambulance. Both are equipped with a dedicated team of highly trained medical and paramedical professionals, ensuring timely and expert care during critical situations.

Eligibility for Air Ambulance Service

Individuals affected by road accidents, industrial mishaps, or natural disasters are being transported to government or private hospitals both within and outside the state through the free PM Shri Air Ambulance service. Ayushman card holders are eligible for free transportation to government and Ayushman-affiliated hospitals, regardless of the location. For those who do not possess an Ayushman card, the service provides free transport to government hospitals within the state, while transport to medical facilities outside the state is available at contracted rates.

Approval of air ambulance service

In the event of an accident or disaster, the District Collector is authorized to approve free air ambulance transportation within the division based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical and Health Officer. For transportation outside the division, approval is granted by the Health Commissioner. In cases involving critical patients requiring air ambulance services beyond medical college facilities, the Divisional Commissioner provides approval on the recommendation of the Dean, while the Director of Medical Education is responsible for approvals for transport outside the state. For all other paid transportation cases, approval is granted at the National Health Mission office level.