Phillipines Air Ambulance: Airgurus Case No. 831 Dengue

Dengue... a scary medical emergency accompanied by abrupt fever, nausea, red and white patchy rashes, headaches, bone pain that affects legs, joints and the lumbar region of the spine. 

But what if it becomes a Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome? This carry the same symptoms but accompanied by bleeding or hemorrhagic manifestations ie., bleeding in stomach (vomit), gums, nose and decrease in blood platelet (Thrombocytopenia). These symptoms when not treated may lead to Dengue Shock Syndrome... which when not treated immediately, may lead to profound shock and eventually death.

Airgurus' Air Ambulance Chopper 1 just took off 6am the morning of August 23, 2011 to pick up a patient from Pangasinan and transport him directly to an apt medical facility in Manila. Profusely sweating, the balikbayan patient on vacation in the Philippines, had an on and off fever for 4 days and while on transit his temperature is 40 C. Although the patient has not been diagnosed with Dengue, his family wanted to make sure of his well-being and that he gets the immediate treatment.

Dengue is a potentially serious disease caused by a virus transmitted within humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. A serious public health threat in warm subtropical and tropical areas of the world such as Philippines, most people can recover from it but in some cases, dengue fever can lead to serious complications including hemorrhage and shock if not treated immediately at apt medical facilities.

Seek immediate medical care! If you or someone you know (located anywhere at remote places in the Philippines and/or far away from medical facilities in Manila) have been diagnosed with dengue fever and develop bleeding symptoms or change of consciousness, call our air ambulance hot lines +63 920 9550897, + 632 781 2707 and + 632 781 0787 for immediate medical evacuation!

We are operating our air ambulance services 24/7 to help save lives! 

New Emergency Rescue Takes Off

It is a scary thought: you are seriously ill or injured and need to get to a hospital in Manila now.

You have only three options: emergency airlift, take a commercial flight, or go to Kalibo's hospital.

Kalibo's hospital may not have the necessary equipment or staff. Taking a commercial flight is only possible if the patient is able to be transported sitting up. Emergency airlifts are extremely expensive and, in the Philippines, can cost upwards of P1-million pesos. An emergency helicopter trip from Boracay to Manila typically costs P250,000-300,000. 

Enter SkyAid, a membership program organized by two of the Philippines' leading air ambulance service providers, Airgurus Ltd. Co. offering members free emergency medical transportation for as little as P10 per day per person, with their most expensive plan for individual one-week visitors running only P143 per day.

SkyAid's medical evacuation team is composed of four helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft. Their aircraft are nothing like the tiny helicopter based in Caticlan that long-time residents of the island know from island airlift stories. Their helicopter fleet is made up of a Bell 206 L3 (Longranger), Agusta Westland 109A, Eurocopter AS350B, Bell 206 B3 (Jetranger) and Robinson R44, supported by the fixed wing Baron 58, Kingair 200 and Cessna 206.
 

Capt. Harry Lero from SkyAid and Dr. "Girlie" Teotico of Metropolitan Doctors Medical Clinic recently invited the Boracay Sun staff on a tour of the island on their spacious Bell Longranger helicopter, giving us a first-hand experience with their professional crew and well-maintained aircraft. A dual- purpose aircraft capable of carrying five passengers, it converts in only 20 minutes to a medical transport capable of holding two stretchers, two passengers and medical gear.

As it is estimated that 40-60 people are airlifted from Boracay to Manila for emergency medical treatment each year, SkyAid's arrival is welcome.

Acting somewhat like insurance, SkyAid's membership fee of P9,000 per year for individuals is a hedge against the huge cost of an air evacuation. Four-person family memberships (covering children up to age 40) cost only P21,000 per year. SkyAid also offers discounted rates for multi-year commitments, with the five-year family plan only costing P3,750 per person per year. SkyAid covers members traveling anywhere within the Philippines, not just while in Boracay.

One of the biggest challenges in a medical air-evacuation scenario is travel time. Almost all of the Philippines’ medical evacuation fleet, including SkyAid's, is permanently housed in Manila. Upon receiving notice of a situation in Boracay, they need to prepare for flight, fly to Boracay and then refuel in Caticlan before heading back to Manila. This means it takes three to four hours after the phone call before a patient arrives at a hospital in Manila.

SkyAid will tackle this challenge by permanently locating a helicopter in Boracay at Fairways and Bluewater starting in the first half of 2011, cutting transportation time to Manila in half.

Although not for everyone, this service seems ideal for those engaging in the more adventurous activities such as kiteboarding or diving. Some premier resorts are also choosing to include the coverage as an optional add-on for their guests.

Like all contracts, reading the fine print is important. The service covers two transports per year, but only if they are separated by more than 30 days. If the illness is psychiatric – caused by attempted suicide, alcohol or drug abuse – you won't be covered. 

Bumps and bruises won't get you a free trip to Manila, either. According to SkyAid, "decisions regarding urgency of the case, the best timing and most suitable means of transportation will be made by the SkyAid Air Ambulance medical director after consultation with the attending physician and member's receiving physician."

SkyAid will transport you only when "extensive or urgent medical attention is needed and time-critical, when illness or injury requires treatment by a specialist and/or use of the facilities of other hospitals within 24 hours. The illness or injury must be one where the patient cannot be transported by commercial means."

Anyone under the age of 70 may apply for membership, but due to aircraft weight and size, members must weigh less than 300 pounds. There is no medical checkup. 

SkyAid membership does have additional perks, such as a P20,000 emergency medical fund to help with non-transport costs, 20% off aircraft charter from Airgurus Ltd. Co., and one companion may accompany the patient, at no additional cost, on the medical aircraft if space is available and the patient's care is not compromised.

If you think SkyAid might be for you, more information can be found at their website www.airgurus.com. Either way, there is comfort in knowing that there is a service like this for residents and tourists alike. Not to mention knowing that a larger helicopter will soon be calling Boracay home, halving emergency transport times.

Written by: Nick Brown


Source: Boracay Sun / Island News (Sunboracay Archive Dec-Jan 2011)

To know more about Airgurus' 24/7 air ambulance emergency and non-emergency services, go to www.airgurus.com