Norway has already transported over 1000 patients and their relatives from Ukraine for treatment in Norway and other European countries.
– Norway is making great efforts to ensure that patients are transported by air ambulance to hospitals in Norway and Europe. This is also being noticed internationally, says Health and Welfare Minister Ingvild Kjerkol.
Patients and their relatives are transported from a medical center in Poland for treatment to hospitals in Europe.
In cooperation with the EU Civil Preparedness Program (UCPM), we have so far transported approximately 300 patients and their relatives to Norway and over 700 patients and their relatives to other countries.
– Since the outbreak of the war, Norway has been the main participant in the EU's civil preparedness program, including the medevac program. We must stand together to support the Ukrainian people. Support for Ukraine is absolutely necessary for Ukrainians, investment in Norway's security and Europe, says Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.
Norway provide medical staff on flights
– Nearly 200 patients and about 100 relatives have arrived in Norway so far. For many patients it is important to be able to take their loved ones with them when they come to Norway for treatment. We're gearing up for that, says Kjerkol.
Norway can offer ambulance air transport as the Norwegian Armed Forces has an emergency contract with SAS. The Norwegian Armed Forces, in cooperation with regional health organizations, provides medical personnel to care for patients during flights.
Also read: Norway joins the joint support package for Ukraine
Transport of over 1000 patients. High professional quality
– We are one of the countries that have received the largest number of patients from Ukraine. Norwegian hospitals provide healthcare at a high professional level. We are proud of the work we do in Norwegian hospitals and elsewhere in our healthcare for Ukrainian patients, says Kjerkol.
Medical ratings and the capacity of specialist health services determine which and how many patients Norway can accept.
Norway also donated medicines and medical equipment. Among other things, we have developed five purpose-built and very advanced ambulance buses. In addition to this, Norwegian hospitals have provided 12 ambulances so far.
Ambulances wanted
Ambulances are in demand in Ukraine and are an important and flexible tool of the Ukrainian health service. Norway has also sent medical experts as emissaries to the European Commission to help coordinate ambulance flights.
In addition to medical assistance to Ukraine, Norway has also donated a number of other types of equipment under the EU's civil preparedness programme. Among other things, equipment was sent to repair and rebuild the power system, which was destroyed as a result of systematic Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Source: regjeringen
photo. Ministry of Health and Welfare/This SAS aircraft is used to evacuate Ukrainian patients and war casualties
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