Three firms managed by non-resident Indians, who are from Karnataka, have evinced interest in operating air ambulances, said Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader here on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Khader said the State government proposes to make use of helicopters for persons in need of urgent medical treatment. The ambulance, resembling a mini-hospital, can be used not only to help accident victims but also to move organs from the donor to the recipient in a short time.
Mr. Khader said the firms have been asked to pool in funds to act as a corpus during the three-month test period when these helicopters will be in operation. “In these three months, we will study various aspects, including the fund necessary to extend it throughout the State.”
Mr. Khader said, “The discussion on the air ambulance facility will take a final shape by November next.”
Bike ambulanceThe Minister said bike ambulances will be in operation in Bengaluru by January end. Of the 30 bike ambulances, 10 will be functional in the beginning. After seeing the progress, the department will introduce this service in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and Belagavi, he said.
Mr. Khader said his department had cleared the salary of nearly 200 staff nurses and other health personnel working at the primary health centres in Mangaluru and Davangere. The salaries of these personnel had not been paid for the last nine months, he said.
Mr. Khader said the State government had decided to set apart Rs. 5 crore for having a three-month buffer stock of medicines for treatment of persons infected with HIV.
