Apollo Hospitals is scaling its emergency response capabilities by integrating air ambulance services into its 1066 network, as it seeks to improve access to advanced care across geographies.
The hospital chain has entered into agreements with multiple air ambulance operators to create a coordinated system for domestic and international patient transfers. The move is aimed at reducing inefficiencies in emergency transport, including delays, high costs and reliance on intermediaries.
“In critical situations, the ability to reach the right hospital quickly can make a life-saving difference. Through our partnerships with specialised air ambulance providers, we are making it easier for patients and families to access advanced care across cities and across borders, in a more coordinated and transparent manner,” said Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals.
“Once a request is received on Apollo’s emergency helpline 1066, the emergency response team assesses the patient’s condition, determines the most appropriate mode of transport, and coordinates the transfer in conjunction with the partner operator,” said Dr. Ramakrishna Vijay Varma, Chief Operating Officer, Healthcare Logistics, Apollo Hospitals.
The initiative is designed to enable seamless patient movement from remote areas, including Tier II and Tier III cities, by combining emergency coordination, medical support and transport infrastructure.
Apollo said pre-negotiated rates under the partnerships are expected to help moderate transfer costs while improving transparency.
