The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s ambitious air ambulance project is encountering delays due to a shortage of funds, hindering its timely launch. The project was initially slated for deployment within four months, as directed by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in April this year. Alongside this, Gandapur also sought a new health policy aimed at overhauling the province’s healthcare system.
The provincial government had earmarked funds for the air ambulance initiative in the budget, but the finance department has yet to release the necessary money. This funding is crucial for modifying an existing KP government helicopter to serve as an air ambulance, ensuring timely medical evacuations from remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Khursheed Khan, the Focal Person on KP’s Air Ambulance Committee, reported that while the project had garnered significant interest from donors, the finance department’s delay in fund disbursement is impeding progress. Khan emphasized that both federal and provincial institutions, along with the Pakistan Army, have shown full support for the project.
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, stated that the funds would be released promptly upon receipt of a summary from the health department. He noted that Rs16 billion had already been allocated to the health sector over the past five months, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services.
In addition to the air ambulance service, Chief Minister Gandapur has approved several other healthcare initiatives. These include the Motorbike Response Unit, Health Information and Service Delivery Unit, Hayatabad Healthcare City, the Executive Health Checkup Programme, and the upgradation of Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospitals, among others. The chief minister has also called for the health department to identify the requirements for strengthening public sector hospitals across the province to ensure proper allocation of financial resources.
Last month, the Sindh government launched a free air ambulance service to facilitate emergency evacuations from Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur to Karachi. Similarly, the Punjab government introduced its first air ambulance service in July, reflecting a growing trend in provincial healthcare advancements.
The delay in KP’s air ambulance project underscores the challenges faced in implementing crucial health initiatives due to financial and administrative hurdles. As the provincial government works to resolve these issues, the effectiveness of the air ambulance service in saving lives and improving healthcare access in remote areas remains a key priority.
