Thursday, September 27, 2012

Air Subsidy to Stretcher Patients


THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | VOL 36 | ISSUE 01 | 01 OCT 2012
Air Subsidy to Stretcher Patients

The Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands has accorded approval for implementation of the scheme "Air subsidy to stretcher patients" in this Union Territory with immediate effect.
The scheme has been formulated to help the stretcher patients of the general public (excluding Govt. servants and their dependents) who need air evacuation to mainland for super specialized treatment, not available at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair. The air subsidy shall be extended to stretcher patient towards the amount of air fare paid/payable by the patient for evacuation from the island, on referral, in excess of the airfare for single seat. In addition subsidy shall also be provided for purchase of bunk class return tickets by ship for patient and the concerned attendant.
Air evacuation will be allowed for patients requiring emergency treatment only, not available in the islands, and which will be certified by concerned Specialist, Medical Superintendent, G B Pant Hospital and the Director of Health Services. No elective surgery cases will be referred by air. Patients will be referred to the Govt/Govt empanelled hospitals only. Air evacuation will not be allowed for follow up treatment.
In case of stretcher patients, Air India charges 6 times basic fares (including one time tax) against offering 9 seats to the patients. In addition, it charges lowest available air fare for each accompanying attendant. Hence, financial assistance under the scheme will be provided for purchase of air fares from Air India.
However, in urgent cases of evacuation by air, when Air India flights/tickets are unavailable, financial assistance would be provided for purchase of air tickets in private airline flights. Presently, private airlines charge 9 basic fares (plus maximum of four times tax) for the patients and up to 03 attendants.

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