Indian Coast Guard undertakes medical evacuation in Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast

Porbandar: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship C-411 undertook medical evacuation of fisherman who suffered paralytic attack in Arabian Sea on 29 October 2022. The mission was coordinated by ICG Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, (MRSC), Porbandar. The patient was safely brought to Okha and shifted to Government hospital.

On Saturday, 29 October 2022, at about 4:00 PM, Indian Coast Guard MRSC at Porbandar received distress VHF (radio) call about medical emergency onboard Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Jal Jyoti. The position of the vessel was ascertained and found to be 30 miles off Okha. Accordingly, ICG Headquarters at Okha and ICG Fast Interceptor Ship operating in area for patrol mission was diverted for evacuation. The ship proceeded with best speed so as to evacuate patient earliest and reached datum at 4:30 PM. The patient was evacuated and taken onboard ICG Ship. Preliminary medical support was provided onboard by ICG medical team as the case was suspected to be of paralytic attack. The Ship along with patient entered Okha Harbour at 5:30 PM.

Meanwhile, ICG District Headquarters No. 15 at Okha liaised with Government Hospital, Dwarka and alerted them about the medical emergency. One ICG Ambulance with medical team was standby at Okha harbour. On entering harbour, the patient was immediately transferred from the ship. Post evaluation, the patient was found to be stable and Shifted to Government hospital for further treatment.

The effective coordination, prompt response and timely evacuation by ICG has saved a precious life.