The Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics under the Military Hospital 175 in HCM City held a pilot medical helicopter trial on November 8.

Air medical service debuted in HCM City

With the new service, the patients will be transferred by air directly to the hospital, instead of going through Tan Son Nhat Airport. The helicopter pad was built with all required equipment like lighting, an area to co-ordinate and receive patients who can be brought inside the hospital via the elevator or stairs.

The new service is assessed to be the best method which will prove a huge help in search and rescue missions in islands and southern provinces.

It can take three-and-a-half hours to transport patients from islands to hospitals on the mainland. The helicopter will help cut down the time by 20 to 30 minutes and the doctors can have more time to check on the patients.

Dr Nguyen Hong Son, Director of the Military Hospital 175, said, "Our hospital was built with the goals to be a healthcare complex that develops road, air and waterway services so they are our motivations to keep improving."

The Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics covers 66,000 square metres with 500 beds and 15 faculties. Its construction was started in 2015. The hospital will officially go into operation in late 2019. It is considered the most modern centre for trauma-informed correctional care in the area.