Daily Times

Edhi air ambulance, which had been suspended since the last many years due to the outdated aircrafts, resumed its functions again on Thursday when a twin engine light aircraft of the service flew from Karachi to Quetta airport to fly a patient back.

“We got a call from the Edhi Centre in Quetta that a female patient, who was suffering from lung infection was referred by doctors to Karachi so we took our six-seater Piper Seneca-2 and brought her back to Karachi,” said Syed Safdar Abbas Zaidi who is the Line Pilot and coordination general manager in Edhi Air Ambulance service.

Talking to Daily Times, Zaidi said that Edhi air ambulance services had been suspended since many years due to the lack of aircraft service. “But now we have set everything ready and can respond to any call anywhere in Pakistan,” he said.

Recently, Edhi Foundation purchased a new light aircraft which would be included in the Edhi air ambulance service which had been suspended due to the outdated aircrafts and helicopters. “The newly purchased aircraft will soon reach Karachi and after that we will be able to fully operate Edhi Air Ambulance and can respond to any call, in case of emergency anywhere in Pakistan,” said the head of Edhi Foundation, Faisal Edhi.

According to Faisal Edhi, the foundation started its air ambulance service in 1986 with two fixed wings aircrafts, both of which was outdated. There was also a Piper Seneca-2, which needed lot of service, so it was not used. “After restoration of the Edhi Air Ambulance, we will be able to even help Pakistan army in case of any emergencies,” said Edhi.

Published in Daily Times, November 30^th 2018.