LAST DAY OF THE YEAR MARKED BY LIFE-SAVING OPERATIONS: AIR TRANSPORT OF A PATIENT FROM NEVESINJE TO BANJALUKA

BANJA LUKA, December 31 /SRNA/ - While most citizens of Republika Srpska are preparing to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year, members of the Aviation Unit of the Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska are spending the final day of the calendar year at work-saving lives.

Today, members of the Aviation Unit successfully carried out an emergency air medical transport of a 53-year-old patient, initials G.C., who was urgently transferred due to an acute heart attack from the General Hospital in Nevesinje to the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska in Banjaluka.

A swift response, strong coordination between medical services and the helicopter crew ensured that the patient was transported to a tertiary healthcare institution in the shortest possible time, once again confirming the importance of air medical transport as a key link in the emergency healthcare system.

Head of the Aviation Unit of the Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska Boban Kusturić said that such interventions best illustrate the essence and justification of this service.

"The last day of the calendar year is passing as a working day, just as we are used to-saving human lives. Today’s air medical transport of a patient from Nevesinje to Banjaluka once again confirms the justification and importance of the air medical transport service," Kusturić told SRNA.

This intervention symbolically rounds off a year that will be remembered as the most successful so far in terms of air medical transports. A total of 105 air medical transports were carried out over the past year, representing an absolute record and an increase of nearly 20 operations compared to the previous year.

"Behind us is an exceptionally successful year in which we carried out 105 air medical transports, which is an absolute record for the Unit," Kusturić said.

In addition to air medical evacuations, the year was also marked by demanding firefighting operations, particularly during major fires in the area of Trebinje, where helicopters and personnel of the Aviation Unit played a key role in protecting the population and property.

During these interventions, a total of 608,000 liters of water were dropped on fire sites.

"We actively participated in extinguishing fires and saving lives and property, once again demonstrating the readiness and multifaceted role of this service," the Head of the Aviation Unit added.

In parallel with today's operation, one helicopter of the Aviation Unit has been stationed on Jahorina, where it will be available throughout the winter season for air medical transport at both ski resorts managed by the Olympic Center Jahorina, further enhancing the safety of domestic and foreign visitors.

"We are continuing the tradition of a public service into the coming year as well. The Aviation Unit remains at the service of all citizens of Republika Srpska and is there when it is needed most," Kusturić concluded.