Finally, Nawaz departs for treatment: what is an air ambulance?

Ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday departed for London in an air ambulance, attended by his brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shahbaz Sharif and Dr Adnan Khan along with seven others.

Senior party leaders and supporters arrived Lahore airport at Hajj Terminal to see off their leader.

The chartered air ambulance which landed in Pakistan at 8:45am, did fist stay at Doha before heading to London.

The air ambulance is fully equipped to monitor Nawaz’s health and includes an ICU, five oxygen cylinders, IC ventilators, an electrocardiogram (ECG), an electric wheelchair and a satellite phone, reported BBC News.

According to PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, the doctors recommended an air ambulance due to the critical condition of the former premier. She also added that Nawaz’s condition is unstable.

Air ambulance?

Former deputy director-general of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Vice Marshal Abid Rao told the BBC that an air ambulance is an aircraft equipped with all necessary medical equipment. He said an aircraft carrying a patient without the required medical facilities is called a carrier, not an ambulance.

“An air ambulance is similar to a medical unit equipped with all possible facilities for the patient,” said Saad Edhi from the Edhi Foundation.

Immediate treatment may also take place in case of an emergency, as doctors are available in the aircraft.

The Edhi Foundation offers the facility but it is limited to operating within Pakistan. Saad Edhi shared with the BBC that the foundation has two aircraft and one helicopter, with only six seats each.

The Edhi Foundation charges Rs 60,000 per hour. According to Saad Edhi, companies charge rent based on the facilities offered in the aircraft, as well as the distance which needs to be traveled.

Rao further stated that the PML-N would have to bear the expenses on his own.

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