The project for the purchase of medical helicopters has been approved

The Ministry of Regional Development allocates almost BGN 20 million from the Operational Programme for the supply of air ambulances, equipment and training of crews

Nearly BGN 20 million will be allocated under the Operational Programme "Regions in Growth" 2014-2020 managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works for the supply of helicopters for emergency medical response and crisis.  Today the Managing Authority of the Operational Programme approved the project proposal of the Ministry of Health.  

The project will introduce for the first time in the country a 24-hour air transport service for patients in emergency conditions to a receiving hospital, as well as for the needs of transplantation in the country.

The project proposal also provides for the provision of the necessary medical equipment and electronic communication, navigation and control systems.  It will also provide the necessary training for the crew and the medical teams to work in the air.

The provision of modern sanitation vehicles for air transport will ensure the possibility of timely diagnosis, monitoring and treatment in cases where more than 30 minutes are needed for ground transport.  This will help, to a significant extent, to save the lives of patients in critical condition, as well as increase the response capacity in the event of disasters, accidents or catastrophes.

The implementation of the project is part of the policy to renew and staff the emergency care system.

A major project to renovate all the country's emergency centres and supply 400 new ambulances is also currently underway with funding from OP Regions in Growth 2014-2020.