Gorakhpur: Critically ill patients at AIIMS Gorakhpur may soon be airlifted to higher medical centres in significantly less time, with the institute’s helipad nearing completion.Once operational, the facility is expected to enable air ambulances to reach Lucknow in around 35-40 minutes and Delhi in nearly 1 hour 45 minutes. It could prove crucial for patients suffering from strokes, heart attacks, severe road accident injuries and other medical emergencies where timely treatment is critical.At present, patients requiring specialised care are often referred through road ambulances, trains or commercial flights, a process that can take several hours. The helipad will allow helicopters and air ambulances to land directly on the AIIMS campus, considerably reducing transfer time.Officials have sought an inspection by Air Force authorities. Any shortcomings identified during the inspection will be addressed before the facility is made operational. An ambulance will also be available to transport patients from the helipad to the emergency department or other wards.The facility will also enable critically ill patients from neighbouring districts to be brought directly to AIIMS Gorakhpur. The institute is in discussions with the state government for a dedicated helicopter on the lines of AIIMS Rishikesh.“The helipad is ready and only the air cap remains to be installed. After the Air Force inspection and necessary improvements, it will be operationalised,” said AIIMS Gorakhpur executive director Vibha Dutta.
