INTERNATIONAL SOS CONDUCTS FIRST AIR EVACUATION OF A COVID-19 PATIENT IN NEW PORTABLE MEDICAL ISOLATION UNIT
SCG Chemicals and International SOS develop first of its kind infectious disease isolation unit
for air evacuation: that fits all type of aircrafts in Thailand
Bangkok, 23 September 2021 – International SOS carried out the first air evacuation of a COVID-19 patient in new portable medical isolation unit developed together with SCG Chemicals.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, International SOS has been supporting its clients globally to mitigate health and security risks for their employees with Workforce Resilience Solutions, including medical evacuations and repatriations to and from Thailand.
International SOS has partnered with SCG Chemicals to innovate and customise its portable medical isolation unit (PMIU), the first of its kind developed to fit in all types of aircrafts in Thailand, ensuring leading medical evacuation capabilities for International SOS’ clients and their employees.
International SOS and SCG Chemicals worked closely with all necessary agencies of the Thai Government and aircraft provider to ensure the PMIU meets the international aviation standard for quality and safety. The unit, which is suitable for the air evacuation of patients with COVID-19, enables safe transportation of patients to access specialised medical care in other locations. It also lowers the risk of infection transmission to medical professionals, pilots and crews in the air ambulance.
Supathida Ratanaswasd, Medical and Well-being Business Manager of SCG Chemicals stated “Collaboration is the success factor for this project. Working closely with International SOS, who is the leader in patient air transport, allowed us to understand all the requirements, such as proper design, medical standards, and aviation security standards.”
On 10th August 2021, International SOS carried out the first air evacuation of a COVID-19 patient in new portable medical isolation unit from Yangon, Myanmar to Thailand. The patient is a Thai employee of International SOS’ client, an oil & gas company in Myanmar, who was critically ill with severe respiratory problems and needed specialised medical care available at the nearest Centre of Medical Excellence, Bangkok, Thailand.
Due to strict international travel restrictions, the medical operations team worked through multiple complex processes starting from obtaining technical documents, acceptance of patient at the receiving hospital, acceptance of the aircraft provider to join the mission to getting approvals from authorities both in Myanmar and Thailand i.e. Ministry of Foreign Affair, Ministry of Health, Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and etc. In addition, we also received great support from the Thai Embassy in Yangon.
The evacuation mission was carried out at the highest safety level during ground and air transportation from the treating hospital to the handover of the patient to the receiving hospital in Thailand to ensure health and safety of the patient, doctor, nurses, pilots and cabin crews.
Dr. Jamon Ngoencharee, Chief Medical Officer of International SOS said ‘We are honoured to have successfully completed the first COVID-19 evacuation by the private sector. In the past, we had to rely on air ambulances from outside of Thailand for COVID-19 patients. Now, we can support our clients with market leading and cost-effective COVID-19 evacuations executed directly from Thailand with the utmost quality and safety standards.”
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About the International SOS Group of Companies
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation’s reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability.
Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by 12,000 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 12,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.
To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com
For further information contact:
International SOS
Nichakan Bussayasakul
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Tel. 02-614-3604, 081-621-2829
Email: nichakan.b@internationalsos.com
Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co. Ltd.,
Natasha Sachatheva
Tel: 02-260-5820
Mobile: 0917233408
E-mail: natasha@tqpr.com