Renad Ghanem
Saudi Gazette
Lufthansa, a leader in the aviation industry, will be providing the globally unique "flying intensive care unit" in all its long haul fleet, including Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380, that will allow many patients from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world to use the ICUs in the air in order to be transported to various medical facilities.
The German airlines, which has been operating Patient Transport Compartment (PTC) on its Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340 and A330 aircraft types since 1999, has launched starting from June the new version of their unique intensive care unit PTC for the entire long haul fleet.
Lufthansa is the first airline that provides the PTC in the world. The PTC boasts a multitude of advantages over a conventional air ambulance, for example a time saving of up to 50 percent due to the fact that it is installed in an airliner and lower costs.
The spacious interior of the PTC offers enough space for a patient bed, two seats for the doctor treating the patient and a Lufthansa crew member and intensive care equipment together with the required material and medication.
Lufthansa, earlier this month, held a session at the Lufthansa Flight Training Center in Frankfurt that included a full presentation of the Patient Transport Compartment (PTC) that was developed by the technology company Lufthansa Technik in cooperation with Lufthansa's Medical Service.
Lufthansa transports up to 100 intensive care patients per year. The patient could be transported by the airline to Germany for treatment or could be in transit and then be transported again by Lufthansa PTC to their medical destination.
Lufthansa, with its wide medical product portfolio, also caters to patients who do not require intensive care with a PTC.
They can book medical services such as the so-called stretcher or, where necessary, a separate oxygen supply for their flight in advance.
The services available from the Medical Operation Center (MOC) not only include matters concerning suitability for flight transport, but also the preparation and provision of medical offers.
Lufthansa also runs the "Doctor on Board" program, which has already been joined by more than 9,000 doctors all over the world.
At all of its destinations, Lufthansa is able to put passengers in contact with contracted doctors for a fee in the case that they fall ill or require medical assistance.
Despite the fact that Lufthansa is a leader in the aviation industry, it has long been the top choice for patients requiring transportation for their professionalism in providing care during transportation thus making it a pleasant travel experience for patients.
Additionally, they have the advantage of their base of Germany, with its world-renowned medical facilities, serving as a major destination for medical tourists.
Their route network is also ideal for connecting patients to/from the US, India, Turkey, Middle East, western Europe and other popular medical tourism destinations.
While future growth estimates of medical tourism industry vary greatly, Lufthansa plans to be a player in the industry for years to come.
Since 2004, Lufthansa offered flights with fully medical equipped PTC Compartments to 60 destinations, which are operated by Boeing 747 and Airbus A340-300/600.
Intensive care patients transport includes various services such as special fare tickets for escorting doctor chosen by the patient and medical assistants provided by Lufthansa. — SG
