Coast Guard evacuates critically ill patient from Agatti island, Lakshasweep

By Raju Vernekar

Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard District (ICG) Headquarters evacuated a critically ill 75 year old male patient diagnosed with acute subacute subdural hematoma, from the Agatti Island, Kavaratti, Lakshadweep and admitted him to a hospital in Kerala on Saturday midnight.

 The ICG received an urgent medical evacuation request from Union Territory Administration, Lakshadweep islands for a critically of 75 yr old male patient diagnosed with acute subacute subdural hematoma, on oxygen support. The urgent request, received post closure of runaway operations at Agatti airfield.

 Towards facilitating the medical evacuation, ICG launched a Dornier aircraft from ICG Air Enclave at Kochi Airport at 2200 hours in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) configuration with medical staff embarked. The aircraft landed at Agatti island at 2320 hours, where the patient alongwith medical support team and spouse, were embarked swiftly considering the urgency of distress.

 The aircraft took off within 25 minutes and landed safely at Kochi airport at about 0110 hours  on December 14 (Sunday). Subsequently, the patient was shifted to Amrita hospital. He is receiving advanced medical care and support.

 The entire operation was executed within 3 hours of receipt of request from the Island administration and executed post closure of Agatti airfield in pitch dark conditions. ICG pilots demonstrated exceptional skills while safely executing the operation under challenging conditions. Notably, ICG’s night landing SOPs for Agatti runaway during dark hours has extended immense support to execution of such medical evacuations from Lakshadweep islands.

 This operation was the seventh successful medical evacuation conducted by ICG using Dornier aircraft. As part pf the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) this year.

 The operation demonstrated Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to saving lives, at all times and under all conditions, not only in the maritime zones, but also from Island territories and far-flung islands, remaining true to our motto, “ Vyam Rakhamah: We Protect”.