Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently convened with Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Secretary of Emergency Services, to deliberate on the progressive Air Ambulance Project and the launch of Rescue 1122 services on motorways.
During the meeting, Dr. Naseer briefed Chief Minister Sharif about the pilot operation of the air ambulances, detailing patient transfers from remote locales such as Bahawalnagar and Mianwali and the logistics for air ambulance landings across various cities. Discussions also extended to acquiring new aircraft to augment the Air Ambulance fleet.
An agreement was reached to deploy the Chief Minister’s helicopter for urgent patient transfers in Central Punjab during emergencies, for which Dr. Naseer expressed his gratitude.
Chief Minister Sharif expressed her approval of the project’s progress and instructed the rapid implementation of motorway rescue services. She highlighted that Punjab is the pioneering province in launching an Air Ambulance Service, underscoring its critical role in transporting patients with severe medical emergencies within the crucial “golden hour.”
She stressed the importance of the service, noting that “Every individual’s life is invaluable, and the air ambulance is a vital resource for ferrying patients from isolated areas to major medical facilities.”
Moreover, Chief Minister Sharif pointed out that Rescue 1122 ambulances would be strategically positioned at motorway interchanges to ensure swift responses to accidents, marking another first for Punjab. She proudly noted that Punjab’s Rescue Services have set a benchmark in emergency response and serve as a model in Pakistan and South Asia.
