ICATT to launch 'Flying ICU; air ambulance in AP

ICATT, a Bengaluru-based air ambulance services company, has initiated discussions with the Andhra Pradesh Government to launch its cutting-edge and integrated Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) to fast-track trauma care services in the state.

ICATT deploys ‘Flying ICUs’ — helicopters and aircraft equipped with advanced ICU infrastructure, surgical tools, and a trained aero-medical team. These airborne units are capable of delivering critical care at the site of trauma, particularly along highways, rural belts, and semi-urban areas, within the crucial golden hour, significantly improving the chances of survival for accident victims.

ICATT’s air ambulance service, an India-specific adaptation of the UK’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) model, has been successfully operating the government-funded PM Shri Air Ambulance Seva in Madhya Pradesh for the past year. The system functions in close coordination with the National Health Mission’s first responders and the State Administration, covering all 55 districts using a dedicated helicopter and fixed-wing air ambulance.

Under this model, trauma victims and critically ill patients are airlifted free of cost, ensuring timely access to lifesaving care. Building on this success, ICATT is now set to replicate the same PPP model in other States, bringing together key departments including fire services, police, and first-responder ambulance units to form a seamless emergency medical network. Prior to the Madhya Pradesh contract, ICATT had successfully conducted Aero-Medical Rescue operations in the deep jungles of Southern Chhattisgarh based at Jagdalpur and saved lives of the CRPF jawans fighting the Naxalites. Speaking on the project, Dr. Rahul Sardar and Dr. Shalini Nalwad, Founding Directors of ICATT Air Ambulance Service, said, “HEMS represents a significant disruption in the emergency care landscape. In countries like the USA, UK, and across Europe, air ambulance teams are a standard part of trauma care, a highly evolved and efficient system that saves countless lives. We are bringing that same global standard of care to India, where such services are not just desirable but essential. With access to advanced medical facilities still limited in many parts of the country, we believe the introduction of HEMS can play a critical role in reducing road accident fatalities and improving emergency response outcomes.”

They pointed out that road accident fatalities in India rose to approximately 1.80 lakh in 2024, accounting for over 11% of global road deaths. Although India is a signatory to the Brasilia Declaration, which aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities by 50%, achieving this goal will require the integration of advanced systems like HEMS.