[단독] KAI, Lee Jae-myeong and Lee Kook-jong introduced 24-hour’Doctor Helicopter’ in two years

Input 2021.03.23 06:00 | Revision 2021.03.23 07:24

Lee Jae-myeong·Extra Kook-jong Strong Will Change to’weekly → 24 hours’ system
Due to corona, demand decreases and deficit accumulates, and eventually the business is stopped.

Korea Aerospace (047810)KAI will close the 24-hour doctor helicopter business, which was first introduced in Gyeonggi-do and Aju University Hospital, for the first time in the country in two years.

According to the defense and aviation industry on the 23rd, KAI, a doctor helicopter operator in Gyeonggi-do, plans to operate doctor helicopters only by the end of this year. Originally, KAI had contracted with Ajou University Hospital on a yearly basis and operated the doctor helicopter under bilateral agreement, but at the time of renewal last year, it was decided not to extend this year for the last time.

The reason that the doctor helicopter business was closed after two years was because of the Corona 19 incident and a huge deficit that made it difficult to operate. It is not profitable to operate large helicopters as much as possible for 24 hours on a limited budget, and the supply and demand of parts necessary for helicopter maintenance and repair has become difficult due to the Corona 19 pandemic (a global pandemic).

KAI, which introduced Airbus’ H225 model as a doctor helicopter, was planning to change and replace Surion, a domestic helicopter produced by its company, for doctor helicopters from last year. However, it seems that it was difficult to continue the deficit business due to the structure that took at least two years from selection of a company to manufacturing and delivery of the helicopter.

An official from the defense and aviation industry said, “Dr. helicopters, which are narrower than ambulances and not separated from the cockpit, have a high risk of infection, and patients with suspected COVID-19 infection may be denied boarding, so demand has decreased.” Despite the opposition that it is unreasonable, KAI participated for the purpose of the public interest, but in the end, it was forced to close the business.”

In May 2019, KAI signed a contract with Ajou University Hospital for the ‘2019 Gyeonggi-do Emergency Medical Helicopter Introduction and Operation Project’, and in September of the same year, the operation began in earnest. At that time, Gyeonggi-do introduced the doctor helicopter for the 7th time in the country and applied the concept of 24-hour operation for the first time so that it could perform missions at night. Accordingly, six rescuers from the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters were also dispatched to Ajou University Hospital to be dispatched 24 hours a day.

Industry officials explained that there was a strong will of Professor Lee Guk-jong Ajou University Hospital and Gyeonggi Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myeong behind the 24 hours operation of the Doctor Helicopter, which had been operated only during the day (sunrise to sunset) for safety considerations. An employee of KAI said, “Even the medical staff of Ajou University Hospital objected that it was dangerous to operate 24 hours a day, but I heard that Prof. Kook-jong Lee and Do Governor Lee Jae-myeong actually enforced a business with’eating mustard while crying’. When the building was built, there was a plan to deliver additional helicopters, but even this was languished, which only adversely affected the financial structure,” he said.

Prof. Lee Kook-jong filed a petition to the Supreme Court on September 19, 2019, with Governor Lee Jae-myeong, fearing that the introduction of a 24-hour doctor helicopter would be destroyed. At the time, Governor Lee had been sentenced to a fine of 3 million won, equivalent to’invalidate the election’, in the second trial of appeal for public announcement of false facts under the Public Official Election Act in relation to the case of’forced hospitalization for the brother-in-law’.

In his petition, Professor Lee said, “We sincerely ask that the governor’s judgment is closely related to the lives and safety of the people of Gyeonggi Province, so that the chief executive officer of the province, who is leading the province, refrains from being judged too harshly.” And said. Regarding the reason for the petition, the Supreme Court Justices can give to the incumbent provincial governor who is doing its best to introduce the’advanced country type severe trauma patient treatment system’ that builds a social safety net that protects the lives of the citizens while fighting the cold reality politics. “Because it is an important issue for tolerance and uninterrupted treatment for many severe trauma patients.”

Some point out that the public service project to increase the survival rate of severe emergency patients was somewhat hastily carried out. An official from the defense industry and aviation industry said, “To operate the doctor helicopter 24 hours a day, it requires enormous expenses, such as the provision of additional manpower and equipment for night operation. However, we have not been able to prepare specific countermeasures such as subsidies.” If you leave it to a company, will it be possible to run a long-term business.”

When KAI’s contract ends this year, the 24-hour doctor helicopter business must appoint a new business operator. However, it is unknown whether there will be companies that will continue the expensive business on behalf of KAI, the largest defense and aviation company in Korea. It is reported that KAI and Gyeonggi-do-Aju University Hospital are currently in consultation to select the next business operator, and are waiting for a decision from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.