site.btaUPDATED Licensed Helipad Opened at Sofia’s St. Ekatherina Hospital

The licensed helipad on the roof of the St. Ekatherina Hospital was unveiled here on Monday in the presence of Health Minister Hristo Hinkov, Deputy Health Minister Ilko Getov, the Hospital's Executive Director, Dimitar Petkov, among others. 

The facility will be part of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). The first helicopter arrived in Bulgaria a few days ago. The site will also be available for use at night, once the helicopters from the HEMS system receive permission to fly at night. 

Hinkov pointed out that BGN 2.5 million are planned for the construction of helipads, one of which costs BGN 120,000, VAT included.

"The helipad's construction serves as proof of our common aspiration to improve Bulgarian healthcare," Minister Hinkov said, adding that HEMS is a national priority. He described the date of February 2, 2024 as historic because of the arrival of the first medical helicopter in Bulgaria. "The hospital heliport will ensure the possibility of providing assistance to patients in life-threatening condition. The Health Minister said that Bulgaria will be guided by the best European HEMS practices.

The helipad at the capital's Lozenets Hospital will be licensed in two weeks, Deputy Health Minister Getov said.

"We are ready with several more helipads across the country, which will fall within the range of the first helicopter that arrived," he added. The idea is that by the end of the year, hospitals that fall within the range of the first, second and third machines will have hospital helipads built and licensed. The first helicopter will be able to serve a perimeter up to around Plovdiv and Stara Zagora, the Deputy Health Minister explained. According to him, efforts are continuing to license heliports also by private hospitals that maintain the appropriate level for emergency care. Helipads at private hospitals are not included in funding worth BGN 2.5 million for constructing helipads at State-owned hospitals.  In the funding that is envisaged - BGN 2.5 million - for the construction of helipads at state hospitals, he also said. 

It will not matter whether the hospital is State-owned or private when deciding where to transport a patient, Getov said, adding that the patient's condition will determine to which hospital they will be flown, as well as on the level of care the hospital offers. 

Deputy Minister Ilko Getov stressed. It will allow the implementation of donor situations. This site allows night-time landing because it has the necessary lighting and signalling, he added. We are proud of what we have achieved, Getov further said. He wished for fewer emergency situations.