– It is the feeling that their suffering and injuries are not something we usually see or understand as natural, says Håkon Asak. He is medically responsible for air evacuation in the Swedish Armed Forces’ sanitation. For Asak, everyday work is not like that of most other doctors. Norway is responsible for the evacuation of severely injured soldiers in Ukraine. Asak’s workplace is in an old SAS plane. The last 737 model SAS still operates with. For many years, the Norwegian Armed Forces have had an agreement with SAS regarding the conversion of an aircraft that has normally carried SAS passengers. The aircraft has been rebuilt when there has been a need for it, but in the last year the aircraft has only been used for evacuation and has been equipped for this the whole time. Asak says that the plane is now being used as an ambulance. The plane is so well equipped that the doctors carry out several different treatments in the air. In the same way as intensive treatment on the ground. – We like to call it a flying intensive care unit. The passenger plane is a work office a little out of the ordinary. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / Forsvaret Several serious injuries Asak says it is Ukraine that decides which patients they want to evacuate out of the country. The soldiers come with several different and serious injuries. – We accept very complex claims. It is often a combination of explosion and gunshot wounds. And we have also taken out quite a few people with burns, who are very complicated and resource-demanding patients. The medical officer responsible for air evacuation in the Swedish Armed Forces’ sanitation is faced with many different injuries. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / Forsvaret But it is not only seriously injured soldiers who are treated on the plane. – We are also taking out some civilians who have serious cancer diagnoses, to relieve the Ukrainian healthcare system. We have also transported children with cancer and children with life-threatening burns. Health and Care Minister Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) tells news why Norway has chosen to get involved in the medical evacuation. – When the EU received requests from Ukraine for medical evacuation assistance in spring 2022, it was important for the government that Norway contributed – as a number of other countries also did. Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) says that Norway’s efforts are appreciated by the EU. Photo: Anders Eidesvik / news Being affected On the plane, Asak meets grateful people from Ukraine. The team takes the time to make sure they feel safe. Asak admits that it does something to him to be so close. – It is clear that this affects and reflects on. My pleasure. This is an important mission to help Ukraine win the war, and this is a very concrete type of mission where for the individual patient it means a lot. Norwegian medical evacuation In total, Norwegian medical evacuation has contributed to transporting 1,553 patients to Norway and to other countries. 364 of these patients have been evacuated to Norway to receive treatment at Norwegian hospitals. Source: Ministry of Health and Care. Several stories have created emotions in the doctor, but one patient in particular has made a strong impression. A patient receives medical help with a slightly out-of-the-ordinary view. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / Forsvaret – A young student enlisted in the Ukrainian military shortly after Russia’s invasion. He was paralyzed from the neck down after being shot by a sniper. We were able to evacuate him to Norway, and he showed gratitude for that. But his life is now ruined, says Asak. – When asked directly if he regrets it, he clearly replied that it is his duty. That makes a strong impression. Extending the offer Kjerkol says that the plans for the future are clear. – We are, and will continue to be, an important part of European cooperation to help and support Ukraine. When the plane lands in Norway, the patients are distributed around the country by the Norwegian healthcare system. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / Forsvaret The government has recently decided to extend the offer for the transport of patients until the end of November 2024, at the request of the EU. – How does the Minister of Health assess the importance of Norway’s cooperation with the EU in this evacuation? – The European Commission has described the scheme as a mainstay in the work on medical evacuation of Ukrainian patients, writes Kjerkol. – Norway’s close cooperation with other European countries frees up hospital beds in Ukraine and gives wounded soldiers and sick Ukrainians hospital treatment and help.
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Rescues injured soldiers from Ukraine – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
