Chennai Airport Gets 13 AEDs Under HeartSafe Initiative to Boost Cardiac Emergency Response

The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Raja Kishore, Director, Chennai International Airport, and Dr. Manivannan Selvaraj, Founder and Managing Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, along with senior officials from Chennai International Airport and Kauvery Hospital.

An AED is a portable, easy-to-use medical device that analyses the heart’s rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock when required to restore a normal heartbeat. The installation of these devices aims to ensure timely life-saving intervention during the critical first few minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest.

Kauvery Hospital has been operating 24x7 emergency medical services at Chennai International Airport through four strategically located clinics at T1 Arrival, T2 Departure, T2 Security Hold Area (SHA), and T4 Arrival. The emergency services are managed by a dedicated team of 49 healthcare professionals, including emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics and support staff, providing prompt medical assessment, stabilisation and emergency care to passengers, airport personnel, airline crew and visitors.

The airport medical services are further supported by two fully equipped ambulances stationed at the airside and cityside, ensuring rapid emergency response and timely patient transfer whenever required.

Each clinic manages approximately 80-100 patients every month, taking the total number of patients across all four clinics to an estimated 320-400. These cases include medical emergencies, onboard in-flight emergencies, walk-in consultations and patients requiring stabilisation and transfer to higher centres.

Among these patients, an average of 5-10 cases involve cardiac-related conditions, including chest pain, palpitations and high blood pressure, highlighting the importance of rapid cardiac response facilities within the airport environment.

The addition of AEDs further strengthens the emergency care system at Chennai International Airport by ensuring immediate access to life-saving intervention during sudden cardiac emergencies.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raja Kishore, Director, Chennai International Airport, said, “Chennai International Airport is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for every passenger, visitor and employee. The installation of the Automated External Defibrillator is an important step towards strengthening our emergency medical preparedness. We appreciate Kauvery Hospital for its continued partnership through the 24x7 airport medical clinics and for extending its expertise to enhance our capability to respond swiftly during medical emergencies. Together, we are creating an airport ecosystem where timely intervention can help save lives.”

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Manivannan Selvaraj, Founder and Managing Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said, “In a sudden cardiac arrest, every minute without treatment reduces the chance of survival. When high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is started immediately and an AED is used within the first few minutes, survival rates improve significantly. Through the HeartSafe Initiative, we have installed 13 AEDs to enable faster life-saving intervention.”

He further said, “However, emergency preparedness is about more than just installing AEDs. It requires the right people, the right training and the right systems. At Chennai International Airport, Kauvery Hospital’s 24x7 emergency clinics are staffed by experienced emergency physicians, skilled nurses and trained paramedics, supported by advanced medical equipment. The addition of AEDs further strengthens our emergency response capability, helping create a safer environment where passengers, visitors and airport personnel can be assured of rapid, life-saving care when every second matters.”

The installation of AEDs reflects the shared commitment of Chennai International Airport and Kauvery Hospital to creating a safer environment for millions of passengers, employees and visitors travelling through the airport each year. The initiative also highlights the importance of public awareness about recognising cardiac arrest, performing CPR and using an AED until professional medical assistance arrives.