‘People Air Ambulance’ starts in Balochistan

QUETTA:

For the first time in Balochistan’s history, people living in remote and underserved areas may soon have access to emergency medical evacuation by air as the provincial government prepares to launch the “Peoples Air Ambulance” service.

The project, described by officials as a breakthrough in emergency healthcare, is expected to provide rapid medical transport to patients suffering from serious injuries, traffic accidents or critical health conditions, especially in districts where long distances and poor road connections often delay treatment.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the air ambulance was now fully operational and would soon be formally launched to the public. He said the initiative was designed to ensure that patients from remote areas could be quickly shifted to major hospitals in Quetta and other cities during emergencies.

“For decades, many families in remote areas have struggled to access timely medical care due to difficult terrain and lack of rapid transport. This service aims to bridge this gap and help save precious lives,” the Chief Minister said.

The aircraft has been equipped with modern emergency medical facilities, including life-saving equipment needed during patient transfer. Qualified doctors and trained medical technicians will remain on board to provide immediate medical care while the patient is being transported.

Officials believe the service could significantly improve emergency response times across Balochistan, where patients often endure hours of travel before reaching specialist health facilities.

The provincial government said the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the health sector and strengthen emergency medical response systems in the province.

CM Bugti described the Peoples Air Ambulance as more than just a transport project and termed it a humanitarian initiative aimed at making emergency healthcare accessible to ordinary citizens.

He also announced that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was expected to formally inaugurate the Peoples Air Ambulance service in the coming days.