site.btaHealth Minister Says Eight Helicopters to Provide Emergency Medical Services in Bulgaria

Health Minister Silvi Kirilov Thursday said eight helicopters will provide emergency medical services in Bulgaria. Kirilov, Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev, and European Commission representatives visited Sofia's Sveta Ekaterina University Hospital in connection with a project for building a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

One helicopter was acquired with funding from Operational Programme Regions in Growth, while the remaining seven are funded under the RRP, said Kirilov. At present, three helicopters are operational in Bulgaria, and two more are expected by the year's end. "We have been assured that all helicopters will be delivered on time," he said.

Helicopter bases are currently operational in Sofia and Sliven. A base has also been built in Plovdiv, but organizational issues are delaying its activation. Three more bases are located near Targovishte, in Dolna Mitropoliya, and in the village of Gabrovnitsa near the northwestern town of Montana. The Sofia and Sliven bases will each host two helicopters. Out of the planned 21 helicopter landing sites, 14 have already been built. Kirilov also said there are 12 medical teams operating the helicopters, with additional teams being trained for Targovishte and the other bases.

Аsked when helicopters will be able to provide emergency assistance at night, Kirilov said pilots must log sufficient flight hours and obtain night flying licences, and landing sites must be properly equipped. Two night vision devices have already been secured, and a third one is expected. There is some delay due to specific regulations, as such goggles are considered dual-use goods and are under strict control.

"We still do not have a helicopter equipped with a winch," said Kirilov, adding that such equipment will be provided.

Celine Gauer, Director-General of the European Commission's Recovery and Resilience Task Force (RECOVER), said one of the seven helicopters funded under the RRP is based at the hospital as part of the effort to build an air ambulance system. Thanks to the European Commission's support, patients will be saved, regardless of where they are, she said.

The visit to the hospital is part of a two-day mission by the European Commission, led by Celine Gauer. Its aim is to discuss the next steps for the timely implementation of planned reforms and investments, following the July 2 approval of Bulgaria's revised Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the upcoming steps related to submitting the second and third payment requests by the year's end.

A helicopter demonstration had been planned for Thursday at the helipad of the Sveta Ekaterina Hospital, but it did not take place as the helicopter was dispatched to Razlog (Southwestern Bulgaria) to assist a polytrauma patient in critical condition. Gauer cited this as an example that patients will be able to quickly reach one of the modernized hospitals. This is just one example of the support the European Commission is providing in the healthcare sector, alongside other investments amounting to EUR 6.2 billion, which must be utilized by the end of 2026, she said.