ICG undertakes swift evacuation of critical patient from Agatti Island

By Raju Vernekar

Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard headquarter located at Lakshadweep island on Monday( January 19), evacuated a 63 year old woman patient from Agatti Island and shifted her to a hospital in Kochi, Kerala thus saving a precious life.

 The ICG District Headquarters received an urgent medical evacuation request from Union Territory of Lakshadweep, for a 63-year-old female patient suffering from cardiac arrest. Viewing the criticality of the case, ICG launched a coordinated medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operation. ICG Dornier aircraft from Kochi was tasked to execute the operation by retrofitting ICG Dornier aircraft to Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) configuration to provide life support to the patient post embarkation.

 ICG aircrew swiftly completed the retrofitting and were airborne by 1100 hrs from Kochi and landed at Agatti island to facilitate the evacuation. The aircrew spared no efforts and swiftly embarked the patient for Kochi. The aircraft landed at Kochi airport at 1420 Hrs and the patient was shifted to Aster med city hospital for advanced medical care.

 The swift operation, in a series of such MEDEVACs, was completed in a very short time-interval not only testing the response of Indian Coast Guard units, but also highlighted the cooperation and coordination maintained between ICG and Union Territory of Lakshadweep administration. ICG remains committed towards ensuring the safety of lives of our citizens, especially those residing in remote islands.

 Add DG M V Pathak, new Coast Guard Commander, Western Seaboard

In another development, Additional Director General MV Pathak assumed charge as the Coast Guard Commander of the Western Seaboard on Monday. An officer of the 1989 batch, ADG Pathak, joined the Indian Coast Guard in July 1989 and has commanded all classes of Coast Guard ships. He has held several key shore appointments, including Chief of Staff at Coast Guard Headquarters Mumbai, Commander Coast Guard Kerala and Mahe, Principal Director Administration in New Delhi, and Commander of Coast Guard regions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair and Commander Coast Guard region (North East region) Kolkata.

 Prior taking over the reins of Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) ADG MV Pathak,  was the Deputy Director General (CGSB) (Operation and Coastal security) at New Delhi. The Flag officer is the recipient of the prestigious “President Tatrakshak Medal & Tatrakshak Medal”.

On assuming command of the Western Seaboard, the Flag officer reiterated his priority to work in close co-ordination with state and central agencies towards strengthening coastal security and safety. Also, he added that the ICG is committed to its motto “Vayam Rakshamah” which means “We Protect”.