Air ambulance and insurance obstacles in India.

I have read some gallant stories of life savings by air ambulance services in the west.

I believe air ambulance services in the private sector, are available in US since 1990.

But in India, it is still in infant stages. In fact it would not be an exaggeration to say that air ambulance service is not yet born in India in the private sector. (I hope some western entrepreneurs are reading this article)

I am writing this inspired by a story I read in my local daily ‘The Hindu’

Dr.Sairamanan was doing his duty in ONGC’s (Oil and Natural Gas Commission) offshore drilling vessel, when he had to attend to an unskilled laborer who got his hand badly damaged. The doctor had to pick up pieces of flesh and bones, packed in salt and ice and called for a helicopter which arrived the next day early morning only.

This made to contemplate an air ambulance service. He approached several corporate bodies, but none gave him a favorable hearing saying that it is not a sound business proposal.

At last he was successful when he met the MD of Swajas Air Charters and Hotels.
They launched Galaxy Rescue 999, a 24/7, anywhere-in-the-world, air ambulance and evacuation service.

The Insurance Obstacle:

Though this kind of novel ambulance service has been rendered by Army or Naval for over 50 years, the private sector’s entry is unheard of in India.
Dr.Sairamanan says “the reluctance of medical insurance companies to cover such services has been a deterrent