Edhi Foundation Gets Another Air Ambulance

Pakistan’s largest charity, the Edhi Foundation, has added a new light aircraft to its air ambulance service, significantly enhancing its ability to transfer patients and deliver aid to disaster‑affected and remote regions across the country.

• New Addition: A modern light aircraft joins the existing air ambulance fleet

• Expanded Capacity: Now 3 fixed‑wing aircraft plus 1 helicopter on standby

• Nationwide Reach: Faster transfers to major hospitals and emergency sites

• Rapid Response: Critical for remote areas and during natural disasters

• Free Service: All air ambulance missions are provided at no cost to patients

• Type & Role: A six‑seater light aircraft designed for medical evacuation and relief missions.

• Primary Use: Transporting critically ill patients to tertiary care hospitals and delivering medical supplies in disaster zones.

• Deployment: Based at Edhi’s Karachi airbase, with rapid‑response teams ready 24/7.

“This new aircraft will further strengthen our emergency medical response capabilities,” said Faisal Edhi, Chairman of the Edhi Foundation.

1. First Flight (2005):

   • Edhi launched its air ambulance service with an aircraft acquired from Germany.

2. Fleet Growth:

   • By 2017, the fleet grew to 2 fixed‑wing planes and 1 helicopter.

3. Disaster Response:

   • During the 1993 Punjab floods, Edhi’s air wing airlifted supplies and rescued thousands of victims, showcasing the service’s critical role.

4. Current Strength:

   • With this latest aircraft, the air ambulance fleet now comprises three airplanes and one helicopter, making it one of Asia’s most comprehensive NGO‑run air rescue services

• Mountainous Regions: Swiftly evacuates patients from northern districts like Gilgit‑Baltistan and Chitral.

• Flood‑Prone Areas: Airlift medical teams and supplies during monsoon floods in Sindh and Punjab.

• Conflict Zones: Delivers aid to Kurram and other restive districts where ground access is limited.

In December 2024, Edhi’s air ambulance transported critically ill children from Parachinar to Peshawar amid a security crisis, saving dozens of lives.

• Pilots: Certified aviators experienced in low‑visibility and mountain flying.

• Medical Staff: Each flight carries at least one paramedic and emergency nurse, equipped with ventilators, ECG monitors, and advanced life‑support kits.

• Ground Coordination: The Control center in Karachi liaises with provincial health authorities and NDMA for mission planning.

• Golden Hour Transfers: Over 60% of missions involve time‑critical evacuations, where rapid air transport can mean the difference between life and death.

• Cost Savings: Air missions, though expensive, are funded entirely by public donations, with no charge to patients or their families.

• Geographic Challenges: Pakistan’s rugged terrain and underdeveloped roads make ground ambulances slow and often life‑endangering in emergencies.

• Speed & Efficiency: Aerial evacuations cut travel time by 70% or more for remote‑area patients.

• Disaster Preparedness: Quick deployment during floods, earthquakes, and landslides ensures rapid distribution of medical relief.

• NDMA & PDMA: Joint exercises with national and provincial disaster agencies to streamline air rescue protocols.

• Hospitals: Partnerships with major hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar for seamless patient handovers.

• International Donors: Past aircraft gifts—from the U.S. Agency for International Development to private Pakistani‑expat donors—underscore global backing

• Additional Aircraft: Discussions underway to procure two more fixed‑wing planes by late 2025.

• Specialized Medevac Jets: Upgrading to pressurized, long‑range aircraft capable of international patient transport.

• Tele‑Medicine Integration: Equipping flights with real‑time telehealth links to specialist doctors in major cities.

• Pilot & Crew Training: Expanding training programs in high‑altitude and night‑flying operations.

• Donate: Visit the Edhi Foundation’s official site to contribute toward aircraft maintenance and fuel costs.

• Volunteer: Medical professionals and pilots can apply to join the air ambulance program.

• Spread the Word: Share mission stories and fundraisers on social media to raise awareness and support.

With the addition of its latest light aircraft, the Edhi Foundation reaffirms its commitment to saving lives across Pakistan—from bustling urban centers to the most remote mountain villages. As the foundation continues to expand and modernize its air ambulance service, timely medical care becomes increasingly accessible to those in dire need, cementing Edhi’s legacy as Pakistan’s “Angel of Mercy.”