As far as I know, Bulgaria is seeking a penalty of about 500,000 leva under the contract for the delivery of medical helicopters. We were supposed to receive another helicopter in January, but as far as I know it has not yet passed the flight capability checks. We were supposed to receive one helicopter from this company every six months, but apparently there is a delay. This was announced to Lili Marinkova in the “FACTI“ studio and the “Conversation” Nastimir Ananiev, former MP and chairman of the VOLT party.
“I hope that your viewers know that Bulgaria plans six bases for these medical helicopters, which will serve the entire country. The bases are located in such a way that the so-called “golden hour“, which is vital for the injured patient. The bases are located in the country in such a way that if a helicopter from one base cannot cover an incident - we can take an example now with an incident in Rozhen, when the helicopter did not go because it had a problem, a machine from another base can respond within this “golden hour“. The idea is that from each location one incident can be covered with two helicopters“, the guest also shared.
“The money for the machines is available, it is simply good for the state to protect its interest in the supplies. The helicopters were purchased with money under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, in other words with European funds, as there was an idea for one to be purchased with national funds. I assume that now the Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadzhov will say what the current government's request is for the purchase of the others. It is also good to hear the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov what is the plan for the introduction of these helicopters, because this topic is related to road safety. It is important for Bulgaria that we have this European service, because all European countries have it. You remember, I suppose, how some time ago there was a serious accident with Romanian tourists near Veliko Tarnovo. Well, then several helicopters came from Romania and took their compatriots directly to their hospitals. Why shouldn't we - Bulgarians - receive such a high-quality and good service, because this is a service whose goal is to save lives,“ added the guest.
See more of the conversation in the VIDEO.