PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet has approved converting a government helicopter into an air ambulance.
As per the media report, KP Government spokesperson Barrister Dr. Saif said this decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The MI-17 helicopter will be used as an air ambulance.
He added that the helicopter will be modified at a cost of Rs 300 million to serve this purpose.
The Finance Department will provide funds to the KP Aviation Department for the air ambulance project.
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Dr. Saif mentioned that the Chief Minister had already made his helicopter available for public service. It is currently being used to deliver medicines and rescue stranded people in Kurram.
On the other hand, the free air ambulance service is active in Punjab. Provincial government is paying $540 per hour for the service. Three small planes and two helicopters are being used.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Health Department said the provincial government is covering all costs of the service. He added that the service operates according to international medical dispatch standards to ensure quality.
