Bulgaria to Launch Emergency Air Assistance by End of May
Bulgaria is set to establish its emergency air assistance service by the end of May, marking a significant step forward in the country's healthcare infrastructure
"On December 15 this year, we will have our first medical helicopter." This was stated by caretaker Health Minister Asen Medzhidiev on the National Television
The purchase agreement was concluded with the Italian company "Leonardo". In the following years, we will gradually receive the remaining five helicopters. One machine costs about 18 million euros, the minister said.
This week a tender is being put out for two leased helicopters, again from Italy, which will come with crews and technicians so that air rescue can start from the summer.
"I hope at the end of July we will have two operational helicopters. Thanks to the fact that we are working with Air Squad 28, we will be using the airstrips of the Air Force, which are extremely important, because the preparation for the construction of hangars and pads requires a longer process".
The national coordination center in Sofia has been determined, as well as the operational bases. The first two helicopters will land in the summer at the bases in Sofia and Dolna Mitropolia, work is underway to build at least three more bases in the country.
Apart from the already mentioned cities (Sofia, Varna, Pleven, Plovdiv and Yambol), helipads are expected to be built in Burgas, Ruse, Dobrich, Balchik, said Asen Medzhidiev.
The places for the doctors and the teams that will be trained have been announced, in parallel the training of pilots and technicians for the helicopters has started.
"Medics will be trained at the Military Medical Academy. Initially, they will be anesthesiologists, resuscitators and nurses, and they will necessarily first go through the aviation medicine department of the MMA to see if they are fit to fly, and their physical condition. Gen. Mutafchiyski even is building a mock-up of a helicopter on which the training will take place," said the health minister.
They will have better pay because they will work in tougher conditions, he assured. A doctor and a nurse will have to give at least 5-6 shifts a month and are expected to receive the equivalent of their salary in the medical facility where they work.
"Air aid will necessarily be free of charge, everything is covered by the state and the Ministry of Finance has set aside funds for it to function," Asen Medzhidiev said.
According to him, last year's health care budget was good and he gave an example of salary increases in the medical sector. He stated that during the preparation of the new budget, more funds are planned for the Health Fund.
Follow Novinite.com on Twitter and Facebook
Write to us at editors@novinite.com
Информирайте се на Български - Novinite.bg
/BNT
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Bulgaria is set to establish its emergency air assistance service by the end of May, marking a significant step forward in the country's healthcare infrastructure
New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores concerns over the global surge in antibiotic usage during the Covid-19 pandemic, potentially exacerbating the silent threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The Ministry of Health in Bulgaria has announced a significant initiative to provide free whooping cough vaccines to all pregnant women between 27 to 36 weeks of gestation
A recent UN report on the health behaviors of school-age children has unveiled concerning trends regarding alcohol and cigarette consumption among Bulgarian students, sparking widespread concern
In a recent announcement that's bound to catch attention, Bulgaria's Chief State Health Inspector, Assoc. Angel Kunchev, declared that the country will not be declaring an emergency epidemic situation due to the spread of whooping cough
In a recent interview with BTA, Associate Professor Angel Kunchev, the chief state health inspector, addressed the potential declaration of an epidemic of whooping cough and outlined the measures that would be taken in response
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022