High cost of special medical flight delays acrobat’s trip home

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005 | 11:02 a.m.

Since he suffered a broken neck in an acrobatic accident before a Las Vegas audience seven months ago, Robert Nzovi has wanted is to go home to Evansville, Ind., to his wife, family and friends.

However, according to Air Compassion America, a Virginia-based patient advocacy organization founded last year, a medical flight from Las Vegas to Evansville will cost about $17,000 because at least two nurses and a ventilation system would have to accompany him.

Nzovi and his family cannot afford that cost.

Officials at Air Compassion America say they will work harder to find an air ambulance service that is more affordable. Since April, they have arranged affordable medical flights for 60 patients.

"We run into situations like this all the time where people don't have the resources, and that just adds to the tragedy," said Clint Franklin, director of flight operations for Air Compassion America.

The company does not fly patients to destinations, but rather scours the country to get the most competitive price from air ambulance services. On average, Franklin said, his company has saved its clients 64 percent over what they would have paid arranging a medical flight on the retail market.

Also, the agency regularly contacts the news media to do stories about their clients' injured relatives in hopes of tugging at the public's heartstrings.

"We appeal to the generosity of people," Franklin said. "Look at the response from Americans and the rest of the world, pouring money and services into the areas hit hard by the tsunami. There are good people out there who want to help."

Franklin said depending on a patient's needs, a second nurse, a respiratory therapist and sometimes even a physician may have to accompany the patient, adding to the already high costs of insurance and maintaining medical jets.

Air ambulance services that want to offer lower bids can contact Air Compassion America at (866) 270-9198. Cash donations from the public also can be made by calling that number.

Kinlock Cary, a social worker who is assigned to Nzovi, said other types of support are being sought to help Nzovi through his ordeal.

"The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation has offered to provide Robert with a special bed designed to prevent sores," Cary said. "I promised his family that we will do what we can to help him keep his spirits up while he is here."

The Rev. Lawrence Young, pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church and a chaplain at the University Medical Center where Nzovi originally was sent after his accident, has visited Nzovi frequently. He says Nzovi, despite all he has been through, remains positive.

"He must remain in high spirits -- that is what is most important right now," Young said. "He is an impressive young man who does not blame the troupe or anyone else for what happened.

"But something has to be done to get him home to his wife and family who can make him feel better and continue to give him hope."