Iran inaugurates first air emergency base
Iran’s Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Bahram Einollahi, announced Friday that 500 new vehicles will be added to the nation’s emergency fleet within the next month.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of Tehran province’s first specialized air emergency base, according to IRNA.
Einollahi, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, lauded Iran’s standing in the health sector, asserting that the country is a regional leader and has a significant global presence. He emphasized the trust and recognition garnered by Iran’s health sector and its national achievements.
The minister underscored the robust condition of the emergency department, an integral part of the country’s health and medical service chain. He hailed the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant achievement and a testament to the heroism of the medical staff.
However, Einollahi stressed the need for continuous development of medical services. He outlined the Ministry’s primary objective of dealing with emergencies and patients swiftly and with the highest quality of care.
The procurement of 500 emergency vehicles, for which financial resources have been secured, is part of this objective. The minister also highlighted the importance of air emergency services, particularly in major cities grappling with road traffic. He assured that the renovation and development of these services are underway.
Einollahi arrived at the ceremony in an emergency helicopter, a gesture aimed at assuring the public of the vehicle’s safety. He promised an increase in the number of air ambulances, equipped with advanced medical equipment, particularly for resuscitation.
The top health official expressed hope for the complete domestic production of helicopters in the near future, noting that parts of the air emergency equipment are already being produced locally.
Ja’far Mi’aadfar, the head of the country’s emergency organization, confirmed that the emergency helicopters are fully equipped with all the necessary emergency services. He revealed that last year, over 4,000 emergency flights were made, including more than 400 involving pregnant women.
Mi’aadfar highlighted the challenge of finding suitable hospitals for landing but expressed optimism with the opening of Ghadir Hospital, which he said is a significant step towards addressing this concern. He emphasized that the cost of transporting each patient, which exceeds $35,000 is provided free of charge by the air ambulance service.