An air ambulance for an infant diagnosed with polio

In January 2025, Air 7 Asia was engaged to conduct a highly sensitive medical evacuation from Bandung, Indonesia, to Singapore. The patient was a five-month-old Indonesian infant diagnosed with vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), a rare complication following polio vaccination.

The mission demanded exceptional coordination, rigorous infection control, and rapid execution

The infant, who was immunocompromised, had received both oral and inactivated polio vaccines in Indonesia. In December 2024, she developed fever and paralysis, though polio was not initially suspected by her doctor. As her condition deteriorated, her family sought specialist treatment in Singapore. Given the infectious nature of poliomyelitis and Singapore’s strict public health safeguards, the mission demanded exceptional coordination, rigorous infection control, and rapid execution.

Pre-flight planning and MOH coordination

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) was engaged from the outset. The infant and her family underwent testing and were placed under quarantine in Indonesia before travel. On the day of the evacuation, MOH arranged for the family’s secure transfer from quarantine to the airport. Air 7 Asia worked closely with the medical team to ensure the aircraft was prepared with appropriate isolation protocols and layout adjustments for infection control. 

Safety protocols for crew and aircraft

MOH required vaccination records for every crew member, without which post-flight quarantine would have been mandatory. These were submitted promptly to ensure operational continuity. All crew were required to wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the duration of the mission. The aircraft cabin was sectioned to create clear patient and crew zones, reducing the risk of contamination during the journey.

In-flight operations

A specialist medical team monitored the infant throughout the flight, ensuring she remained stable. The crew maintained strict adherence to infection control measures, including the careful handling of all waste and limiting contact with the patient’s environment.

Arrival and post-flight measures

Upon landing at Seletar Airport, the patient was transferred directly to the National University Hospital (NUH) and placed in isolation for treatment. The aircraft then underwent a full disinfection in compliance with MOH and World Health Organization (WHO) protocols before being returned to service.

Public health context

This case marked Singapore’s first imported poliomyelitis case in decades. The country, certified polio-free by the WHO since 2000, last recorded an indigenous case in 1973. MOH confirmed the risk of community transmission was low due to immediate isolation and robust infection control measures. Singapore’s high vaccination coverage and vigilant surveillance systems continue to be the backbone of its poliofree status.

Impact and key takeaways

The mission highlighted Air 7 Asia’s capacity to operate under complex biosecurity conditions. Key success factors included:

• Seamless multi-agency coordination between Air 7 Asia and broker, MOH, and NUH
• Rapid verification of crew vaccination status to prevent operational delays
• Adherence to strict PPE and in-flight isolation protocols
• Thorough post-flight decontamination processes.

The safe and timely transfer of this young patient underscores Air 7 Asia’s commitment to delivering urgent, specialist medical evacuation services without compromising safety. This case also demonstrates the critical importance of readiness in handling rare but high-stakes infectious disease cases, where speed and precision can make the difference between risk and recovery.