Gyeonggi-do Becomes First Nationwide to Change 'Doctor Helicopter' Model

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will replace the doctor helicopter model it first introduced nationwide from a "large class" (H225) to a "medium class" (AW169). The province previously introduced the nation's first 24-hour emergency medical exclusive "doctor helicopter" in September 2019.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 9th that, after approval procedures from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it plans to operate the 'AW169' model from U&I Helijet as an emergency medical exclusive helicopter starting January next year.

Previously, the province and the Gyeonggi Southern Regional Trauma Center (Ajou University Hospital) operated the H225 model as a doctor helicopter in August 2019. This helicopter was the first in the country to conduct 24-hour emergency medical activities.

The helicopter was the same model as the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters helicopter that crashed into the sea near Dokdo in October of the same year, killing seven people. Following the accident, operation was suspended for two months due to safety measures for the same model mandated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

A provincial official explained, "There was anxiety because the existing doctor helicopter was the same model as the crashed helicopter, and noise complaints were continuously raised. The large helicopter had the patient bed attached to the wall, so treatment could only be done from one side, but the medium helicopter has a structure where medical staff can attend to the patient from both sides of the bed, allowing for more efficient treatment."

The province will also expand the range of patients eligible for transport to increase the number of doctor helicopter flights.

In addition to existing patients such as those with stroke, myocardial infarction, and severe trauma, emergency patients including those with loss of consciousness will also be able to board the doctor helicopter.

The province plans to cover the medical personnel support costs for the doctor helicopter with provincial funds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.