- Recognized for 10 years of operational support in air medical service… Expected to strengthen emergency response capabilities with the introduction of a new medium-sized Doctor Helicopter
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province hosted an event to mark the 10th anniversary of the introduction of its Doctor Helicopter service, sharing operational achievements over the past decade and honoring individuals and partner organizations that contributed to the development of the regional emergency medical system.
The province announced that the "Jeonbuk Doctor Helicopter 10th Anniversary Ceremony" was held on the 15th at Wonkwang University Hospital. The event was attended by Lee Won-taek, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, along with emergency medical officials and key stakeholders.
The ceremony proceeded in the following order: ▲ Operational performance report for the past 10 years ▲ Introduction of the new medium-sized helicopter (AW-169) ▲ Presentation of commendations for meritorious service ▲ Celebratory performance. Notably, UIHELIJET, the operator of the Doctor Helicopter, received a Commendation for Meritorious Service from the Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province in recognition of its stable operational support for air medical services, which raised the level of regional healthcare.
Since its first deployment to Wonkwang University Hospital in 2016, the Jeonbuk Doctor Helicopter has operated across Jeonbuk as well as neighboring regions such as Seocheon and Boryeong in Chungcheongnam-do, transporting approximately 1,630 severe emergency patients to date. It plays a crucial role in the regional emergency healthcare system by ensuring patients in island and mountainous areas—where medical accessibility is low—are rapidly transported to regional hub hospitals within the critical "golden hour."
Starting in July of this year, the new medium-sized AW-169 Doctor Helicopter was put into operation. Built on enhanced maneuverability and safety compared to the previous model, it is expected to significantly boost severe emergency patient transport and on-site response capabilities.
Lee Won-taek, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, stated, "The Jeonbuk Doctor Helicopter has served as a reliable pillar safeguarding the lives of our provincial residents over the past 10 years. With the introduction of the new medium-sized helicopter, we expect our emergency medical response capabilities to be further enhanced, strengthening the emergency medical system that protects our residents' golden hour.
Reporter Yang Seung-hyun
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