Air ambulance scheme failed to reach 30 districts: MP Congress

Bhopal, Aug 8 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Saturday alleged that the state’s PM Shri Air Ambulance scheme had failed to reach patients in 30 districts despite around Rs 35 crore being spent on the service since its launch in May 2024.

Patwari claimed that only 159 patients had availed themselves of the service over the past two years, with 56 beneficiaries reportedly from Rewa district, and questioned the scheme’s implementation and reach.

“Despite spending around Rs 35 crore, if patients in 30 districts have not been able to benefit from this facility, the government must explain who the scheme was created for and why its benefits have not reached the common people,” Patwari said in a statement.

The Congress leader said the air ambulance service was intended to provide timely transportation to accident victims, critically ill patients and others requiring advanced medical treatment.

He questioned whether inadequate awareness at the district level, lack of coordination between hospitals and the Health Department, or procedural difficulties were preventing needy patients from accessing the service during emergencies.

Patwari demanded that the state government make public the total expenditure incurred on the service, the number of hours for which the air ambulance was made available, its actual utilisation, payments made to the operating agency and the terms of the arrangement.

He also sought district‑wise details of beneficiaries and an assessment of the scheme’s effectiveness.

He said an air ambulance could be crucial for patients suffering serious injuries, heart attacks and other medical emergencies, particularly in areas where advanced healthcare facilities are not readily available.

“The purpose of a life‑saving service like an air ambulance should not be to create statistics or for government publicity, but to save the life of a patient during an emergency,” he said.

The Congress leader alleged that the figures reflected a gap between government healthcare initiatives and their implementation on the ground.

He also raised concerns over shortages of doctors and specialists and inadequate access to advanced medical facilities in rural areas.

Patwari demanded that the government identify and remove any operational or procedural barriers limiting access to the service and make its financial and administrative details public.

–IANS

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