Indonesian air medical evacuation: Analyzing readiness and proposing an integrated standard procedure

Abstract

Indonesia still faces challenges in providing healthcare services, and it is crucial to develop an air medical evacuation services system for at least two reasons. Firstly, Indonesia is an archipelagic country and a popular tourist destination. Secondly, there are still significant disparities in the number and types of healthcare facilities and health workers nationwide. To respond to the current situation, the healthcare providers and government have made some efforts regarding air medical evacuation but are showing an unintegrated system. This qualitative study aimed to explore the current implementation of air medical evacuation in Indonesia and to propose an integrated standard procedure that all related stakeholders can adopt at the national and regional levels. The study used a multi-case design analysis, collecting both primary and secondary data. Secondary data was gathered through desk studies to learn related policies and previous studies. Primary data was collected through observation and in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, including regulators, service providers, practitioners, and non-governmental organizations. The study found that there is currently a regulatory gap for the implementation of air medical evacuation services in Indonesia. The readiness of the Health Human Resources (HHR) is limited in terms of qualification and competency, and the definitive infrastructure of air medical evacuation requires improvement since the providers continue to use the airport for civil transportation. Besides, the interaction pattern between stakeholders needs to be integrated into standardized procedures. Therefore, the study recommends proposing an integrated standard procedure and actionable recommendations to advocate for all stakeholders.