PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s plan to launch an air ambulance service on the pattern of Punjab appears stalled in bureaucratic red tape and files.
According to sources, the provincial government is now reconsidering its initial plan to convert a government-owned MI-17 helicopter into an air ambulance. Instead, the sources said, the provincial government is now looking into the option of leasing a helicopter from the Civil Aviation Department on rent to cope with emergencies.
In April 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced the air ambulance initiative, followed by a provincial cabinet meeting in May, where the conversion of the MI-17 helicopter into an air ambulance was approved. However, seven months later, the project remained inactive, and confined to official files.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department officials said that they had sent a proposal to the finance and administration department for approval of the air ambulance project.
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam told HUM News English that the conversion of the MI-17 helicopter into an air ambulance would involve substantial costs.
He said that the helicopter will be modified in such a way that it could serve as an air ambulance for Rescue 1122 during emergencies and as helicopter in normal circumstances.
He said that following a recommendation from the aviation department, the provincial government is now assessing a new option and instead of converting the MI-17 into air ambulance, Rescue 1122 would rent a helicopter during emergencies.
Adviser Aslam said that while modifying the MI-17 would require significant expenditure and renting a helicopter would be far more cost-effective.
He said that the new proposal will soon be presented for approval at the next provincial cabinet meeting.