Two of the four emergency medical helicopters serving the National Institute of Emergency Medicine (INEM) will stop operating at night from January 1, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.
INEM’s statement explains that these are helicopters operating in Viseu and Évora, with the institute’s president saying that this situation should last a maximum of six months.
Two other helicopters, based in Macedo de Cavaleiros and Loula, will operate around the clock, the statement said.
In Viseu and Évora at night, “the appropriate medical teams will ensure the operation of two ambulances and intensive care (VMER).”
INEM emphasizes that the device is 100% operational throughout the day and explains that the adjustment is the result of a consultation with the market, where the institute received only two responses, one of which contained a solution that will be implemented from January.
Speaking to Lusa, INEM President Luis Meira explained that the amount available for this service has increased from 7.5 to 12 million euros per year.
And he said that during the public consultation that was held to maintain the service until the end of the international competition that will take place, of the two companies that responded, one presented values exceeding the limits, and the other – the current one stated that it could only serve two helicopters 24 hours per day.
The official said he expected this situation to last for a maximum of six months and that after the tender, four helicopters available 24 hours a day would return.
He further explained that although the situation is not ideal, the necessary answers will still be given to users.
Additionally, he added, helicopter flights at night account for 20% to 25% of the time, and the vast majority of those are between hospitals.
“As for helicopter activity, each of them performs from 0.6 to 0.7 flights per day. At night this ratio is even lower,” explained Luis Meira.
“INEM will, as always, monitor the activities of the Helicopter Ambulance Service and make any adjustments that may be necessary to optimize the service,” the statement said.
Regarding the public tender, after the costs of providing emergency medical services by helicopter were approved between 2024 and 2028, an international public tender was launched, the procedure of which is completed by the General Services Administration of the Ministry of Health.
Luis Meira said that with the international competition due to start in the first half of January and finish in four to six months, the situation should return to normal.
Therefore, he stressed, the situation should return to normal within six months at the latest. Until then, “the device is possible,” but the service cannot be “at any cost.”
The statement explains that in the case of market consultation, only two operators responded, “and of these, only Avincis will be able to guarantee the operation of the device, consisting of four helicopters, from January 2024, subject to the amount.” authorized to carry out these expenses.”
“However, as a result of a labor dispute with pilots arising from legal issues related to the limit on pilots’ working hours, the company cannot immediately guarantee the availability of pilots to fly four helicopters 24 hours a day,” the statement justifies.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.