my uttarakhand news Bureau
Rishikesh, 3 Dec: The Governor, Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) today inaugurated the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) training programme at AIIMS Rishikesh. The three-day training programme has commenced with the support of the French Academy of Medicine and the Airbus Foundation. During the programme, doctors, paramedical staff, technicians, and pilots will receive training in advanced emergency medical procedures. The Governor described this initiative as a “life-saving step” and “a new hope” for a mountainous state like Uttarakhand.
The Governor said that receiving medical assistance within the ‘golden hour’ after any disaster or accident is crucial for saving lives. In mountainous regions, disrupted road connectivity, landslides, and difficult geographical conditions often hinder timely treatment. In such circumstances, helicopter medical services will prove to be a boon for Uttarakhand.
The Governor added that providing treatment in a helicopter is a highly complex task, requiring special skills and quick decision-making abilities. The trained teams will play a vital role in saving countless lives in the future. Appreciating the collaboration between the French Academy of Medicine and the Airbus Foundation with India, he said that this knowledge-sharing will further strengthen India’s healthcare system and expose doctors and students to global standards.
He stated that, considering the geographical challenges of healthcare delivery in Uttarakhand, AI-based diagnostics, drone-based delivery of medicines, telemedicine, and heli-ambulance services will significantly strengthen the healthcare system in the future. He expressed confidence that this service will bring transformative changes in emergency healthcare not only in Uttarakhand but across the entire country.
He described AIIMS Rishikesh’s initiative of launching the free Helicopter Emergency Medical Service under ‘Project Sanjeevani’ as “true service to humanity”. He also appreciated the coordinated support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, and the Government of Uttarakhand.
Present on the occasion were AIIMS Rishikesh Director Dr Meenu Singh, Dean, Academics, Prof Jaya Chaturvedi, Secretary General of the French Academy of Medicine, Richard Villette, Dr Qamar Azam, Dr Madhur Uniyal, and other dignitaries.
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