Bulgarian air ambulance flew its first mission

A team of the Air Emergency Medical Centre carried out its first mission on June 4, 2024

After a series of training flights, the medical team including Dr. Vera Ivanova and nurse Georgi Radoev, were sent to provide emergency assistance by air. The alert was given to the Air Emergency Medical Centre at 7.30 am. The helicopter took off at 8.02 am. At 8.45 it stopped for refuelling in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, where it took off again at 9.17. At 9.42 am the helicopter landed at Shumen Hospital, from where a patient was transported to Sofia.

The Ministry of Health has fulfilled all the necessary protocols for the launch of the air ambulance activities.

Last year, one hundred medical professionals were certified after undergoing physical, medical examinations and training at the Military Medical Academy - Sofia base.

Recruitment was then carried out and six medical teams were formed. On 29 May 2024, the additional training of the medical teams from Leonardo to operate the medical equipment on board the helicopter was completed. After all the necessary preparatory and training activities, the medical staff was in absolute readiness to perform missions and the teams' duty rosters were established to work in the Air Emergency Medical Centre. Today, the on-call team received its first air ambulance signal.

The Air Emergency Medical Centre was established in 2023. It houses the Coordination Headquarters, which receives alerts for cases requiring emergency medical assistance by air. The headquarters is equipped and staffed and is also on absolute standby. The necessary integration with the 112 System has also been carried out, as well as test sessions in response to reports.

The patient transported from Shumen to Sofia was in serious condition. After the examinations and consultations with relevant specialists, she was admitted to the intensive care unit of the MMA.

Images by Ministry of Health