Medical Emergency Evacuation by Naval Helicopter
Medical Emergency Evacuation by Naval Helicopter
An urgent medical evacuation of a comatose patient from Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti to Kochi was carried out by Southern Naval Command on a request received from the UTL Administration of Lakshadweep & Minicoy (L&M) on 16 May 2019. The patient, Mrs Cheriyabi PP, age 43 yrs, a resident of Kalpeni was dangerously ill, suffering from Cerebro Vascular Accident with cerebral haemorrhage; and in need of urgent medical evacuation to the mainland.
A naval Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was immediately launched by the Southern Naval Command from INS Garuda, with medical personnel embarked, at 1045 hrs to evacuate the patient from Kavaratti to Kochi. The Naval Liaison Team at Kavaratti provided assistance in transferring the patient, along with medical escort, to the helicopter. The patient, along with the escort, was flown to INS Garuda, Naval Base, Kochi for handing over to a medical team for further treatment at VPS Lakeshore Hospital at Ernakulam.
The UTL Administration and Naval Officer in Charge (L&M), in consultation with SNC, coordinated the entire activity for the swift evacuation of the patient to the mainland.
