In a significant development in the country’s healthcare sector, Amrita Hospital,Faridabad, has begun the operations of what is now the largest elevated hospital helipad in the country. The helipad has become operational after a successful trial landing of a helicopter on the structure, thus beginning the rooftop air ambulance services for critical patient transfers.
The helipad, which has a diameter of 28 meters and can support the landing of helicopters weighing up to 5,700 kg, has been given clearance for day-time Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights. The helipad has received operational approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), thus ensuring that it meets the country’s aviation safety norms.
Boost to Organ Transplants and Disaster Response
With the helipad operational, critically ill and trauma patients can be flown directly to the hospital’s emergency department, intensive care units, and operation theaters in minutes after landing.
It is seamlessly integrated with the hospital’s trauma care:
- Emergency and trauma care
- Cardiac sciences
- Neurosciences
- Transplant programs
- Critical care units
According to hospital authorities, the trial helipad landing has successfully tested the structural integrity, aviation approach alignment, safety features, and patient transfer systems from the helipad to the treatment areas.
Extending Emergency Care Reach of 300-400 km
Located along major high-speed corridors, the helipad increases the reach of the hospital’s specialized trauma and critical care programs to a 300-400 km radius. This greatly improves emergency access for patients from distant areas of North India.
According to hospital authorities, the helipad was conceptualized as part of the hospital’s master plan right from the start to integrate emergency preparedness with the overall campus infrastructure.
Trauma care, the rooftop helipad is expected to play a vital role in:
- Time-sensitive organ retrieval and transplant logistics
- Strengthening organ-sharing networks
- Disaster management and mass casualty response
- Long-distance interstate patient transfers
- Facilitating international patient access to tertiary and quaternary care
According to medical professionals, in emergency and critical care medicine, reducing delays can directly affect survival rates, especially in cases of stroke, cardiac arrest, trauma, high-risk maternal cases, and neonatal emergencies.
Collaboration Between Government and Regulatory Agencies
The establishment of the elevated helicopter landing area has been possible due to coordination between both aforementioned entities in meeting the requirements of aviation, fire safety and emergency response standards associated with helicopter operations.
This initiative demonstrates Amrita Hospitals's continued support of becoming a leading healthcare provider in the region and across the country; therefore, creating an example for aviation-related medical facilities throughout India.
Administration officials at Amrita Hospital reinforced that the operational helicopter facility is part of their ongoing commitment to provide timely, life-saving medical assistance, with each minute saved being critical.
