The medical decision for transferring a patient from Covilhã to Coimbra using a Portuguese Air Force helicopter was a joint effort by a doctor from ULS Cova da Beira, an INEM doctor, and a Portuguese Air Force doctor, according to INEM. The decision considered the patient’s clinical criteria, available resources best suited for the situation, and other variables impacting the patient’s condition.
INEM emphasized that the patient received highly specialized healthcare from medical teams throughout the process, from the pre-hospital medical emergency activation to hospital admission in Coimbra.
INEM did not respond to questions regarding reports that the Air Force helicopter used for the transport was too large for hospital heliports, causing landing difficulties at both hospitals. Additionally, no response was given concerning the timing of the international tender for acquiring the air transport service, which concluded around a month ago.
This response from INEM came shortly after the Portuguese Society for Pre-Hospital Emergency (SPEPH) stated that it is “clinically more appropriate and safer” for patients to be transported by ambulance when air response exceeds estimated ground transport time. According to SPEPH, decisions between air and ground transport should be technical and secure, prioritizing rapid stabilization and safe patient transport to the appropriate hospital. Pre-hospital medicine follows clearly defined principles in choosing suitable transport means for patients with severe trauma, considering several key variables.
Factors to evaluate include weather conditions, estimated helicopter arrival time at the assistance request site, time for aircraft and medical team preparation, and flight duration to the assistance request site.
The Ministry of Health directed inquiries about the situation to INEM. Meanwhile, Rui Lázaro, president of the pre-hospital emergency technicians’ union, criticized the government and INEM for not ensuring timely procedures for the tender related to the emergency air service. He pointed out that the public tender was awarded to Gulf Med Aviation Services Limited only at the end of March.
“The company had just over a month. The government and INEM should have initiated this tender slightly earlier or later,” criticized Rui Lázaro, stating that Air Force helicopters should be relocated to the country’s interior where they are more needed.
Since the beginning of the month, the Air Force has managed medical emergency transport with four helicopters supposed to operate 24 hours a day, but only one is currently capable of night operations, in a temporary arrangement until the contracted company is fully equipped. In addition to the four Air Force helicopters, Gulf Med provides two Airbus helicopters in a direct agreement until the contract is in effect, operating from Macedo de Cavaleiros and Loulé bases during the day.
According to the Defense Minister, the Air Force’s aircraft serving INEM are located in Beja, Montijo, and Ovar.
