By PTI
PANAJI: The Indian Navy has augmented its capacity to evacuate critical patients even in unfavourable weather conditions by fitting a medical intensive care unit (MICU) on-board an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) at Goa’s naval air station INS Hansa, an official said.
The MICU has been installed on-board ALH Mk-III from INAS 323 at INS Hansa by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a naval spokesman said in a media statement issued here.
“With ALH Mk-III, an all-weather aircraft, being equipped with MICU, the Indian Navy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions,” he said.
A Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has been installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at #INSHansa #Goa by HAL. The #IndianNavy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions.@indiannavy @SpokespersonMoD @HALHQBLR pic.twitter.com/nzZfVpPZsR
— PRO Defence Mumbai (@DefPROMumbai) May 30, 2021
The MICU has two sets of defibrillators, multipara monitors, ventilator, oxygen support as well as infusion and syringe pumps, he added.
“It also has a suction system to clear secretions in the mouth or airway of the patient.
The system can be operated on aircraft power supply and also has a battery back up of four hours,” the spokesman said.
According to him, the equipment can be installed in two-three hours to convert the aircraft into an air ambulance.
“This is the first of eight MICU sets to be delivered by HAL to Indian Navy,” he added.