Tibet opens air ambulance center

LHASA - An emergency rescue center was established in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region Saturday, marking the first two air ambulances for civil use in the region.

Each fully-fueled helicopter equipped with breathing machine, defibrillator and other medical facilities can carry a patient for up to 600 km, said Ma Jun, director of the center affiliated with the Red Cross Society of Tibet.

The helicopters will be based in Tsechokling airport in the regional capital of Lhasa, and can take off in 25 minutes if needed.

The center will provide services to seven prefectures and cities in the region, with only a 20 square meter spot needed for landing, Ma said.

According to Ma, the center will have a further helicopter equipped with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and an A505 passenger aircraft, which will help deliver patients around the world.

Liao Yidong, with the Red Cross Society of Tibet, said the air ambulances would make delivery of patients in critical condition much faster in the plateau region.