Air Ambulance: A New Way to Reach Lives in Remote Areas

In Indonesia, an archipelago nation, reaching a hospital can be a matter of hours, not just kilometers, particularly in mountainous regions, outer islands, or areas with limited road access. This delay can be the critical difference between life and death during emergencies.

President Prabowo Subianto's initiative to introduce air ambulances and flying doctor teams aims to address this critical gap. However, specialists caution that the concept requires a far more extensive preparation than simply providing helicopters or small planes. Vika Cokronegoro, a specialist in aviation medicine, stressed that air ambulance services must be built as a complete medical evacuation system.

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Flying Doctor refers to the medical team that accompanies the patient until the patient arrives at the destination hospital.

Cokronegoro explained that "air ambulance" refers to the aerial vehicle, while "flying doctor" denotes the medical team accompanying the patient. This team carries portable emergency equipment that must be compatible with various transport modes, from ground ambulances to aircraft, and usable until the patient reaches the destination hospital. The aircraft cabin itself presents unique challenges, with lower oxygen levels and changing air pressure that can affect a patient's condition, especially those with anemia, heart or lung conditions, or bleeding issues.

Therefore, not all patients are suitable for air transport without prior assessment. Cokronegoro outlined different approaches in medical evacuation, such as "stay and play," where patients are stabilized before moving, and "scoop and run," for critically ill patients needing immediate transfer to a facility capable of definitive treatment. The success of air medical services hinges on seamless integration and careful consideration of patient physiology within the aviation environment.

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The oxygen level in the cabin can be lower than at surface level. Air pressure also changes. The patient's body can also be affected by certain forces during flight.