Since the 999 Beijing Emergency Center bought China's first helicopter exclusively for medical rescue in 2014, the number of such helicopters has increased to about 100, with most owned by general aviation companies. Before 2014, helicopters were used for medical rescue only sparingly such as during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

Currently, many hospitals have partnered with general aviation companies to conduct airborne rescues. Helicopters can help save lives by transporting patients from small cities to better hospitals in large cities, as well as play important roles in disaster relief.

However, the cost of airborne rescue, which ranges from 40,000 ($6,047) to 70,000 yuan ($10,583) per hour of flight is inaccessible to most patients. But, now people can subscribe to the service for only 1 yuan ($0.15) by paying a membership fee of several hundred yuan per year to an aviation company. They can also buy commercial insurance that includes such services.

Finding an appropriate parking apron to land at a hospital is also a problem. Some old hospitals have no space for parking and have to use nearby squares or playgrounds, inevitably delaying the rescue. Medical staff also have to receive special training in order to understand the effect of low pressure in a helicopter on patients and conduct rescue properly.

Moreover, helicopters for medical rescue should also be subject to air traffic control like any other kind of aircraft in China.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Oriental Outlook on June 28)