Manipal Hospital launches heli-ambulance, 1 rescued

BANGALORE: The ManipalHospital’s comprehensive trauma consortium (CTC) on Monday launched itshelicopter ambulance service with a successful rescue operation. Tilak, a youthfrom Davanagere met with a road accident in Davanagere at about 10 am onMonday.A flash phone call to the CTC resulted in the local peopleshifting Tilak to the Bapuji Hospital in Davanagere for initial treatment andincubation even as the helicopter was mobilised from Bangalore.Thehelicopter landed at the nearest available space (Harihar) where Tilak wastransported to by an ambulance. He is now receiving medical treatment in themicro neurosurgery ward. According to hospital spokespersons, the CT Scan hasbeen performed on the patient and the Neuro ICU and operation theatre has beenreadied. The helicopter ambulance has all the emergency equipment available atCTC ambulances besides a stretcher and a spine support to keep the patient inthe right position.The heli-ambulance is targeting accidents within100 km radius around Bangalore. There is just one helicopter operating for thisservice currently. A full-fledged helipad has been developed behind the ManipalHospital area exclusively for this new service. “This service will helppatients from various parts of Karnataka.But the patient must begiven paramedical support during his golden hour,’’ ManipalHospital, senior manager, communications, Rajesh Pandey said. manipal has plansof introducing more for the CTC Air service