Inside the UAE ‘flying ICU’ transporting critically ill patients worldwide

A UAE-based aeromedical service, ICATT RESPONSE PLUS, has successfully completed nearly 1,000 flying hours across 20 countries and five continents within its first five months of operation. This specialized service transports critically ill patients who require intensive care during long-distance journeys. Operating from Abu Dhabi, ICATT RESPONSE PLUS provides international medical evacuations for patients necessitating urgent or complex transfers between hospitals, utilizing a specially equipped Challenger 605 aircraft, which functions as a flying intensive care unit capable of non-stop flights up to 7,400km.

Among its most complex cases, the service initiated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for a three-day-old baby and transported a one-and-a-half-month-old baby requiring nitric oxide and oscillatory ventilation support. These transfers necessitate the presence of highly specialized medical teams and equipment to ensure continuous intensive care while the patients are in transit.

Dr Rohil Raghavan, Chairman of ICATT RESPONSE PLUS, emphasizes that moving critically ill patients internationally transcends mere transportation; it demands hospital-level care, clinical expertise, and meticulous coordination throughout the journey.

The company adheres to a "bed-to-bed" model, orchestrating the transfer from the patient’s originating hospital to the receiving hospital via ground transportation and flight. This approach is crucial for patients necessitating specialized treatments unavailable in their current locations or requiring continuous medical supervision during travel.

ICATT RESPONSE PLUS extends its medical evacuation services to patients journeying from GCC countries to various destinations worldwide. Each mission is meticulously planned considering the patient’s medical requirements, destination, aircraft needs, and pertinent regulations. The organization asserts that its operations align with broader initiatives aimed at enhancing the UAE’s emergency medical response capabilities and delivering critical care to patients beyond the nation’s borders.