Latest news with #Medevac
Daily Maverick
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Polish medics at unique facility help evacuate Ukraine's wounded soldiers
Poland's emergency medical team can move up to 50 patients a day, and the number of injured from Ukraine is increasing. Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, about 70km from the western Ukrainian border, in southeastern Poland, was a small regional airport before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. After that, Ukraine closed its airspace, and now the airport has become the key strategic and logistical hub for Nato support to Ukraine. About 95% of arms and other material assistance flows through the airport, which is guarded by Patriot anti-missile batteries. Rzeszów-Jasionka is also the departure point for Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, to travel abroad. Poland has been one of the strongest supporters of its neighbour Ukraine in its war against Russia. Apart from being a conduit for the supply of weapons and other materiel to Ukraine, Rzeszów-Jasionka is also a hub for humanitarian assistance to the embattled country, including the evacuation of war-wounded. Key to that effort is the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) Medevac Hub Jasionka, which established a 40-bed hospital close to the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in a converted warehouse in August 2022. Mateusz Stojanowicz, the medical coordinator of the hub, explains that its function is to receive patients who have travelled by road, mainly from the frontlines in the east, through the western Ukrainian city of Lviv — a major humanitarian hub for Ukraine — and to stabilise them before they are flown from Rzeszow-Jasionka to hospitals across Europe for further treatment. More than 4,000 patients and their families have been transported, most to Germany, followed by Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and 12 other countries. Medevac Hub Jasionka is sponsored by the European Union (EU) and is part of the EU's Civil Protection Pool, which comprises 28 states, some of which, like Norway and Turkey, are not members of the EU. Stojanowicz says the number of daily patients is irregular because it is dependent on the fighting in Ukraine. The hub can manage as many as 50 in a day, although the average has been around 30 to 40 per week. The two wards of the hub together have 40 beds, with room for about 25 more stretchers if necessary. The main purpose of the hub is to prepare patients for onward travel to Europe. 'We are keeping patients fit to fly,' says Adam Szyszka, the medevac team leader, noting that sometimes patients arrive with difficulties, dressings need to be changed, infections treated and unexpected lapses managed. 'And we have less than 24 hours, and we may have to deal with 50 in one time.' A logistical feat Normally, patients stay here no longer than a day before being moved to the special Medevac aircraft of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to be transported to hospitals across Europe. This regular SAS Boeing 737 passenger plane has been converted into a flying hospital, with medical equipment, around 20 hospital beds — some of which are for intensive care patients — and around 30 seats, though the configuration can be changed. Medical personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces provide the treatment and care on board the aircraft. The medevac team does not take patients requiring critical care. 'They need to be able to breathe by themselves,' says Stojanowicz. 'If they are critical, they are taken straight to the aircraft, which has six ICU beds.' If the condition of a patient deteriorates en route to the hub, it will call 911 and order an ambulance or use one of its own to take the patient to a regular hospital in Rzeszów. 'Our job is to be a buffer for the local healthcare system,' says Adams. 'Without this place, these 3,000-plus people would have to go to the local hospitals.' The medevac team has three regular ambulances as well as an ambulance bus donated by Norway that can take four supine patients and 11 sitting people. Szyszka says the ambulance bus cuts down on the number of medical staff needed to accompany patients and saves space on the tarmac of the busy airport. Instead of 11 ambulances, one bus can transport 11 patients. The bus has a 220-volt power output, which covers all medical equipment they might need. A tent can be attached to extend the capacity of the hospital if the hospital is overstretched or has to be evacuated for any reason. 'It was made just for this purpose,' says Szyszka. 'No one was expecting that during the 21st century in the middle of geographic Europe, we were going to face war again, the same like 100 years ago. We have to adapt a crisis management system to the current situation.' The hub is equipped with enough water and generation capacity to be self-sufficient for three days, in case it's cut off from the water and power grid. Trauma services Although the medevac hub treats mainly wounded soldiers, it also handles children suffering from cancer who are being transferred abroad, in large part because of Russia's bombing of hospitals in Ukraine. They are strictly segregated from the war casualties to prevent infections, as the immune systems of cancer patients are compromised. Psychological counselling is also a major part of the hub's activities, including dealing with the trauma of injury. The Jasionka medevac hub is often the first place where wounded soldiers meet their relatives after their injuries, which is traumatic for all. The emergency medical team tries to prepare the patients psychologically for the countries they are travelling to by providing them with a small library that includes books written in Ukraine about those countries. Szyszka says the team made a big breakthrough by hiring a psychologist from Ukraine. Patients increasing Stojanowicz says the number of patients is accelerating. Like most others, they thought this would be a quick war, but they are seeing more patients on average this year than last year. The team is part of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) global emergency medical team system. 'And we are the only WHO team certified in Poland. We have more than 150 medics,' says Szyszka. He adds that the PCPM Jasionka Medevac hub is 'unique in Europe … [and] … never before anything like this exists in the world'. PCPM performs three main activities: development aid, humanitarian aid and medical relief assistance, as the Jasionka medevac hub is doing. The WHO emergency medical team (EMT) initiative was conceived to deal mainly with single events such as earthquakes or floods. 'The EMT initiative was designed to provide medical assistance for two weeks, or maximum two rotations per two weeks, one month only.' 'After an earthquake, for instance, with buildings collapsing causing injuries, after one month there is nothing left for medics to do.' However, this wartime emergency had been going on for three years, turning it into 'the longest EMT mission in the world, in the history of the WHO EMT initiative'. Whereas the emergency medical team can roughly predict the number of casualties from disasters such as earthquakes, war is unpredictable. 'One day we can have a lower number of patients … and the next week will be a huge peak,' says Szyszka. Szyszka notes, proudly, that the emergency medical team on duty at any moment — one doctor, two nurses, two paramedics, two ambulance drivers, one psychologist, one pharmacist, an interpreter, admin officer, logistician, hub medical coordinator and hub information coordinator — is at all times ready to deal with an influx of up to 50 people. DM Peter Fabricius visited Poland, Czechia and Ukraine in June 2025 on an African journalists' study tour sponsored by those three countries and the European Union.
Daily Express
03-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Emergency mission saves Banggi teen in respiratory distress
Published on: Thursday, July 03, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025 By: Patimang Abdul Ghani Text Size: A Medevac mission was launched immediately after MMEA receive a call from the clinic's medical officer. KUDAT: A quick response by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here saved the life of a 14-year-old girl suffering from breathing difficulties on Banggi Island on Wednesday night. The girl, Anisa Aman Shah, was initially treated at Karakit Health Clinic but required urgent transfer to Kudat Hospital due to her worsening condition. MMEA Kudat Maritime Zone Director, Commander Hasbullah Omar, said a medical evacuation (Medevac) mission was launched immediately after receiving a call from the clinic's medical officer. Cenderawasih 10 was deployed to transport the patient, accompanied by her father and a Health Ministry staff, from Karakit Jetty to Marina Jetty in Kudat. The vessel arrived at the jetty around 11pm, and the girl was transferred to an ambulance for emergency treatment at Kudat Hospital. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
MMEA conducts medevac for nine-year-old boy on Perhentian Island suffering asthma attack
KOTA BARU, May 4 — The Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) carried out a medical evacuation operation (Medevac) to help a boy who suffered an asthma attack in Perhentian Island, Terengganu yesterday. Kelantan Maritime Director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the operation was carried out after the maritime received an emergency call from health workers at the Perhentian Island Health Clinic, Terengganu at 12.15pm. He said a patrol boat was mobilised to the location and managed to take the nine-year-old patient to the Kuala Besut Passenger Jetty in less than an hour before being rushed to the Besut Hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment. 'Immediate action must be taken, given the patient's condition was getting weaker, and required emergency treatment at the nearest hospital (Besut Hospital) immediately. 'The Medevac operation ended completely at 3pm without any untoward incidents. The public is advised to always be aware of their respective health conditions always but should not hesitate to call the authorities in cases of emergency,' he said in a statement yesterday. — Bernama
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eagan mother tragically dies after breast cancer worsens on Mexico vacation
An Eagan family is in desperate need of support after the tragic death of 44-year-old Jodi Taylor, whose health took a turn for the worse while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico. Taylor, 44, who was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer in 2018, was vacationing with her husband, Scott, their 13-year-old son and their nine-year-old daughter when she fell ill. She was admitted to an emergency room and then an intensive care unit on March 30. Her close friend Patricia Peterson told Bring Me The News that she had been experiencing some liver issues prior to the trip. Taylor was in the ICU from that Sunday until Tuesday, April 1. Peterson said due to Jodi's urgent medical needs, her husband Scott made the decision to get her cleared to fly home on a Medevac flight. However, insurance would only pay to have her flown to Florida and Scott opted to pay out of pocket so she could be home in Minnesota with her family and friends. After Scott's sister had flown to Mexico to watch over the children while Scott was with Jodi, the kids were able to fly separately back to Minnesota late Wednesday night to see their mother. "Shortly after the kids arrived and were able to see Jodi, she passed peacefully with her family at 8:16 p.m.," Peterson said. A fundraiser, launched on SupportNow, looks to recoup costs for Jodi's hospital stay while in Mexico, the Medevac and the funeral. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised nearly $27,300 of its $75,000 goal. Peterson says Jodi worked as a Medicare analyst specialist for CVS and "enjoyed crocheting, reading, camping and spending time with her kids and husband." "Jodi was a selfless person. She put everyone first, even after her diagnosis," Peterson tells BMTN. "She lived life and wanted to spend time with her family traveling." Peterson says her friendship with Jodi dates back to 2003. "I considered her as my sister. We texted all day every day. My world has changed since she left... we crocheted together, we spent as much time [together] as we could," Peterson said. Visitation has been planned for Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Klecatsky & Sons at 1580 Century Point in Eagan. A funeral service will take place on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Easter Lutheran On the Hill at 4200 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan.
The Independent
18-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Delta Airlines plane crash: Everything we know about flight 4819 that flipped over in Toronto
A Delta Airlines flight crashed and flipped onto its roof while attempting to land at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday afternoon, injuring several passengers. Officials said all 80 people on board the aircraft have been evacuated, and at least 18 have been taken to the hospital. Now, investigators are investigating how the crash could have happened. Here's everything we know about the crash: What happened? Delta Flight 4819 crashed while landing on a snow-covered runway in Toronto around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday after taking off from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The jet, a Bombardier CRJ-900, turned completely upside down on the runway. CNN obtained audio from air traffic control between the controller and the pilot of another nearby Medevac flight. 'LifeFlight 1, Medevac, just so you are aware, there are people outside walking around the aircraft there,' the controller said. 'Yeah, we've got it,' the Medevac pilot responded. 'The aircraft is upside down and burning.' Who was injured? All 80 people onboard - 76 passengers and four crew members - were evacuated from the aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration said shortly after the crash. Video footage showed passengers and crew clambering out of the upside-down plane's emergency exit as smoke bellowed from the aircraft. Eighteen passengers were transported to nearby hospitals, airport fire chief Todd Aitken confirmed on Monday night. 'At this time, we do not know of any of those passengers having critical injuries,' Pearson CEO Deborah Flint said on Monday evening after she earlier put the number of injured at 17. Medical transport company Ornge reported three people suffered critical injuries: a man in his 60s, a woman in her 40s and a child. Their identities have yet to be released. On Monday evening, the city's SickKids hospital said that the child it had received was in good condition but could not provide further information. Joshua Schirard, a commercial airline pilot, told CNN that the flight attendants are to be commended for ensuring everyone on board was evacuated. 'The flight attendants, and how well trained they are, to be able to get everyone out,' Schirard told CNN. 'Everyone thinks that they're there to just serve drinks and snacks when that is absolutely not the case. I guarantee you that it was their efforts to get those people out and to act as first responders on the scene, to make sure that everyone survives.' How did this happen? The exact cause of the crash is unclear, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is set to lead the investigation. 'The NTSB is leading a team of U.S. investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada with their investigation of today's accident of a Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ900 at Toronto Pearson International Airport,' the FAA said in a statement. 'Per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13, any information about the investigation will be released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.' However, experts say the weather — and especially the wind speeds — may have played a role. The region saw a snowstorm that brought more than eight inches of snow this weekend, while Monday brought a high temperature of just 20F and wind gusts up to 38mph, according to The New York Times. Bombardier CRJ-900s, the type of plane involved in the crash, are built to withstand crosswinds of 35 knots, Schirard told CNN. The crosswinds that hit the plane at a 45-degree angle were only around 23 or 24 knots, he said. Schirard said these winds, despite being within the plane's limit, may have still played a role when coupled with the snow and ice on the runway. '[The crosswind] is within those demonstrated components. And the pilots knew that coming in,' he told CNN. ' doesn't make it easy landing.' 'When they're coming in and they're trying to land in that crosswind, and then we couple that with the snow and the they hit a solid patch of compressed snow, ice on that runway, coupled with a strong dressing crosswind, it could absolutely load them off the side of the runway,' he continued. Mary Schiavo, former inspector general at the U.S. Department of Transportation, agreed that the winds may have played a role 'There is a decision point at which you have to land no matter what…and if that's where they were when they got these bad crosswinds, they had no choice,' she told CNN. What have officials said? The FAA issued a ground stop after the crash. Canadian transportation minister Anita Anand said she's 'closely following the serious incident.' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he's in touch with Anand to 'offer assistance and help with the investigation.' Meanwhile, Delta acknowledged the incident in a statement. 'Initial reports were that there are no fatalities. Several customers with injuries were transported to area hospitals. Our primary focus is taking care of those impacted,' the airline said. 'The hearts of the entire global Delta family are with those affected by today's incident at Toronto-Pearson International Airport,' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a separate statement. "I want to express my thanks to the many Delta and Endeavor team members and the first responders on site." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also monitoring the situation, he said on X. 'I'm in touch with Delta after a flight taking off from MSP crash landed in Toronto this afternoon,' Walz wrote. 'Grateful to the first responders and professionals on the scene.' Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, said he's 'relieved' there have been no reported casualties so far. 'Provincial officials are in contact with the airport and local authorities and will provide any help that's needed,' Ford said. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow made a similar statement: "I'm relieved to learn that all passengers and crew are accounted for after today's plane crash at Toronto Pearson. Thank you to the first responders, crew and airport staff for their quick actions and commitment to keeping everyone safe."
