The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has successfully tested a Y-12 aircraft which was modified into an air ambulance to assist medical evacuation operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As increasing numbers of people require hospitalization due to COVID-19, the impact is being felt by the country’s health system.
However, transferring patients with the highly infectious virus is easier said than done following this new air transportation system.
The process of converting the aircraft into an air ambulance involved removing passenger seating and providing additional space and provisions so that essential care can be administered.
“The air test was successful in all aspects,” the SLAF said in a statement.
According to the SLAF, the air ambulance is “equipped with a ventilator, infusion pumps and vital sign monitors”, and a detachable medical evacuation bed.
The aircraft was modified by the No 8 Squadron at the SLAF Base in Ratmalana while the medical evacuation bed had been designed by the Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing of the SLAF base.
“With this new development, the SLAF is capable of conducting medical evacuation operations for critically ill ventilated patients if required by health officials,” the air force noted.
(LI)