Bali, Sept. 28 -- Indonesia has initiated trials for a national air ambulance service using helicopters to speed up emergency medical evacuations across isolated and remote regions, government officials confirmed Monday following initial drills in Lampung.

The Government Communication Agency said in a statement that the pilot medical evacuation exercise took place in the Pesisir Barat Regency of Lampung province on Sumatra island.

President Prabowo Subianto stressed that rough terrain and poor transport infrastructure must no longer prevent citizens from accessing critical medical treatment.

"We will create air ambulances-helicopters and small aircraft capable of landing on grassy fields, sandy areas, or even riverbanks-so that no citi...