Galapagos Islands acquires three air ambulances for medical evacuations

Andes.info.ec reported Hospital networks in the Galápagos Islands are now linked to the national health system with the inclusion of three aircrafts that allow the evacuation of critical patients, informed the Ministry of Health and Defense who have agreements for these type of programs.

The two Bell helicopters, and the Súper King aircraft are equipped at a cost of 8 million dollars and can provide air ambulance services in the islands located almost 1,000 kilometers from the coast of Ecuador, benefiting 25,124 residents of the islands, according to the Population and Housing Census of 2010.

This Thursday, the aircrafts were oficially delivered by the Navy of Ecuador, which will be in charge of the operations and maintenance, as part of the program: “My Emergency” explained the Minister of Health, Carina Vance, who also highlighted that in the past two years 170 patients from the insular region have been evacuated to different hospitals.

Two aircrafts will stay in Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, while the other will be in Guayaquil to coordinate evacuations.

Proper equipped air ambulances did not existe before in the country, said Vice Minister of Defense, Carlos Larrea.

Minister of Health, Carina Vance, added that the Ministry of Health is currently building a new hospital in San Cristobal, which will add to those already on the island and in Santa Cruz, the most populated islands.

“With the aircrafts we will ensure and strengthen health services in Galápagos,” concluded the minister. Read Article