Siloam Hospitals Lippo Village in Tangerang has rolled out a fleet of vehicles to get patients to hospital faster, even in traffic congestion.
The internationally accredited hospital provides "rapid-response" mobile hospitals, helicopters and airplanes to ferry patients as far overseas as Canada.
Siloam orthopedic surgeon Wibisono said Wednesday that patients from across the city could opt for a helicopter ride to the hospital by getting to one of several appointed buildings equipped with a heliport.
Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta and Thamrin Hospital in Central Jakarta both have heliports.
Siloam ancillary and medical affairs head Anastina Tahjoo said it would take only seven to 15 minutes to carry patients from the city to the hospital in Karawaci, Tangerang, by helicopter.
Siloam CEO Andry said paramedics would first check a patient's condition to ensure they were fit to go on board the helicopter.
"Patients also have the option of taking an ambulance supported by policemen outriders who will help ease the way through traffic," he said.
He added his hospital checked the latest traffic situation to determine how long it would take to pick up a patient and bring them to the hospital.
"Patients need not worry about getting stuck in traffic, because they will be able to receive medical treatment from the moment they step into the ambulance or helicopter or airplane," Andry said.
He was speaking after the launching of the medical evacuation vehicles at the hospital.
A 1993 government regulation on traffic stipulates road users must give way to on-duty fire trucks, ambulances, vehicles deployed to help traffic accidents, motorcades carrying the head of state or visiting foreign leaders, convoys, carnival floats, vehicles for the disabled and vehicles for special purposes.
However, the daily congestion on Jakarta's main thoroughfares makes it difficult for even ambulances to get through.
During rush hour, the congestions is worse on the roads leading to the satellite cities like Tangerang, Bekasi and Bogor.
Andry said traffic jams were inevitable and hampered paramedics in providing first aid.
"Even if the ambulance is given a special lane, like Transjakarta busway, other motorists will use it during rush hour," he said.
He added Siloam would also deploy airplanes to pick up patients from far away, including those living in other countries.
"The helicopter's range is limited to reaching those staying as far as Lampung *in Sumatra* and Tegal *in Central Java*," he said.
Andry added between 10 and 15 patients used the emergency evacuation vehicles each month, including those from foreign countries.
Most of them are patients with heart conditions, Wibisono said.
