International SOS, the Moscow-based medical and security assistance company, was recently called upon to evacuate a journalist out of Tajikistan. Spokesperson Karina Thomas explained: “Our company was able to respond with a full medical crew and gain clearance faster than anyone else to this distant and remote location in the CIS.”

The company’s dedicated air ambulance ‘Oscar Charlie’ is a Hawker-Sidley 125, based at Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow. The aircraft has been fitted out as an air ambulance and aero-medical evacuation unit, large enough to accommodate a patient’s relatives during a rescue mission. “It is designed to serve clients working in the fast developing areas of Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan, Belarus and the Ukraine. The aircraft also provides an aeromedical repatriation service for Russian members working abroad or domestically,” said Thomas.

Under the direction of the company’s area medical director, Dr. Rene De Jongh, the air service complements the network of International SOS clinics in the CIS region. These are located in Moscow, Sakhalin, Baku, Almaty and Atyrau. “As the only fully dedicated 24-hour air ambulance service in Russia and the CIS region, International SOS’ medevac services (and flying hours) have increased since its launch last year, to meet client demand,” said Thomas.

The company also has worldwide operations flying out of Geneva, Johannesburg, Singapore, Port Moresby and Beijing. “Air ambulance clients range from private patients, insurance companies and multi-national corporations along with local and regional government authorities,” she added.