Another case of timely assistance occurred days before the holiday, specifically Friday, March 27, when the Aeroambulance services transferred a minor patient from the Sierra de Hato Mayor, to the Ciudad Sanitaria Dra. Evangelina Rodríguez Perezo hospital complex, in Santo Domingo Norte, using as a platform the modern heliport of the same name, located in the area, so that the patient could receive care at the Dr. Ney Arias Lora Traumatology Center.

The La Vega heliport, located on the grounds of the Professor Juan Bosch Traumatological and Surgical Hospital, was key to the timely assistance of a patient who suffered injuries in a highly physically demanding hiking activity on Pico Duarte, during the Easter holiday.

The patient, who according to preliminary medical reports would have suffered a broken femur, received first aid in the same complexity of the area, and was subsequently transferred to the trauma hospital in an Air Force helicopter (FARD).

Initially, his transfer was planned to the Plaza de la Salud, in Santo Domingo, where there is also a heliport, however, it was decided to choose the trauma center in La Vega, under the coordination of a staff from the National Health Service (SNS) led by Dr. Antonio Jiménez, in charge of the General Directorate of Out-of-hospital Emergency Care Services, and the FARD.

“It is in these moments, specifically, that it is important to have hospitals in our country equipped with special infrastructures, such as these emergency heliports, to carry out rescues and helitransported assistance safely,” indicated Víctor Pichardo, director of the Airport Department (DA).

The La Vega heliport, built by the DA, is part of the National Heliport Network headed by Pichardo’s management, and which, during this Semana Mayor holiday, was at the disposal of the authorities of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), for foreseen cases even at night.

Another case of timely assistance occurred days before the holiday, specifically Friday, March 27, when the Aeroambulance services transferred a minor patient from the Sierra de Hato Mayor, to the Ciudad Sanitaria Dra. Evangelina Rodríguez Perezo hospital complex, in Santo Domingo Norte, using as a platform the modern heliport of that same name, located in the area, so that the patient could receive care at the Dr. Hugo Mendoza pediatric hospital.

Vertiport

During the Easter holiday, the DA offered assistance and also worked together with the implementation of the structure of the first Vertiport for prevention of disasters or emergencies in the key areas of Boca Chica, with the incorporation of four drones of different categories, prepared for preventive patrol and response actions.

Eddy Matos, from the Mare Foundation, explained that thanks to the combined action with the DA and other institutions, some twenty-two drone operations were successfully carried out, such as the one containing the lifeguard device, intended to monitor and assist those bathing visitors who leave the established control area.

“Our work together has allowed us to join forces and reduce the risks here on Boca Chica beach, becoming the pioneer once again in establishing preventive work in our country,” he said after noting that the teams are also equipped with cameras, speakers, and LED lights.