Bhubaneswar, March 14: Odisha has taken another step forward in strengthening its healthcare services. The state government has approved a special scheme titled ‘Emergency Care by Air Lifting’ to provide immediate medical transport for critically ill patients to hospitals outside the state.

Under the scheme, patients in emergency situations will be shifted through private air ambulances, and the entire travel cost will be borne by the state government. The initiative is expected to act as a lifesaving support for patients requiring advanced treatment, sources from the Health Department said.

Earlier, there was no specific provision to shift patients outside the state through private air ambulances during emergencies. As per the new arrangement, the Principal Secretary of the Health Department will be the approving authority, while the Health Department will function as the nodal department for implementing the scheme and taking policy decisions.

An expert committee has been constituted to examine such cases. The committee includes the Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) and the Director of Health Services (DHS), while the Additional DMET will serve as the nodal officer. A specialist from a medical college will also be part of the panel to assess the patient’s medical condition and determine whether air lifting is required.

Based on the committee’s recommendation, a final decision on air lifting will be taken and communicated to the Health Department.

The State Nodal Officer will coordinate with private air ambulance agencies and oversee the process, including managing expenses and arranging patient transfer. The expenditure will be covered under the Chief Minister’s Air Health Service Scheme.

As Odisha currently does not have its own air ambulance service, the government will coordinate with agencies operating such services elsewhere to facilitate emergency air lifting. Patients will be transported from hospitals to airports through Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances.