The direct helicopter link for the transfer of patients between Gozo and Mater Dei Hospital is now operational, announced Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela.

On Tuesday, the first medical use was successfully carried out through this link, as a Gozitan patient was flown from Gozo to Mater Dei in a state of emergency. The Minister said that the transfer only took 15 minutes with the patient being ready for the angiographic intervention in the operating theatre in the Radiology Department.

The Minister said that since the beginning of Mater Dei Hospital’s operations, the helipad had not fulfilled its original purpose, due to various challenges that prevented helicopters from landing.He explained that the Ministry understood the critical importance of a functional helipad in a central hospital where every minute counts in saving lives. Therefore, the rehabilitation of this site was treated as a priority and the challenges were overcome.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that through work by the Foundation for Medical Services, Transport Malta, and international aviation specialists, the Ministry has prepared the Mater Dei helipad, with the first test-flight landing at the helipad on the 5th of December.

“This is a crucial development in the care of Gozitan patients. For us, the health of the patient will remain an absolute priority. “Therefore, we will continue to strengthen this service with the next phase of the helipad at the Gozo General Hospital,” concluded the Minister, while thanking the professionals for their commitment.

Photos: DOI

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