KARACHI, Nov 13: The city government has decided to establish an air ambulance service to help the existing agencies cope with emergencies more effectively and ensure saving lives of affected people.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) chaired by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal.

Tenders have been floated by the Municipal Services Department inviting quotations for a helicopter.

Sources in the city government said that the air ambulance service would be attached to the city government’s ambulance network, which has been working in close coordination with all major hospitals, ambulance services and the fire brigade department in the metropolis.

In the first phase, the air ambulance service will have one helicopter but at a later stage, more helicopters or light aircraft would be added to it.

Masood Alam, the EDO Municipal Services, told Dawn that the need for an air ambulance was felt while coping with major incidents of fire, violence, accidents and blasts. In this context, he referred to the constantly swelling volume of vehicular traffic on the city’s thoroughfares and growing number of high-rises. “There has been an increased number of incidents requiring swift action to cope with any emergency and without an air ambulance, the rescue agencies felt handicapped,” he added.

“We have snorkels to deal with fires but in some cases we had no other option but to call army or navy helicopters to rescue people,” he said, giving examples of some recent incidents of major fires.

He said that an air ambulance service would not only help rescue trapped people promptly but would also enable the city government rush health facilities to trauma patients.

By the end of this month, quotations would be scrutinised and the make and model of the required helicopter would be finalised. It would also be decided whether the helicopter be procured with the city government’s funds or requisition for the same be sent to the provincial government for the issuance of a special grant.

Mr Alam said the air ambulance service would be established during the current financial year.”

The city government also approached the Civil Aviation Authority for technical assistance. “We would have to have a parking space for the helicopter, besides ensuring security and maintenance,” he added.

Edhi Foundation, which has the largest ambulance network in Pakistan, also intends to expand its air ambulance service. So far, it has one helicopter and two fixed-wing aircraft at the disposal of its air ambulance service.

Faisal Edhi of the Foundation told Dawn that it could not expand the service as yet due a shortage of technical staff and some other problems.

He said the charity would establish a base in Multan for its air ambulance service.