Gulf Med Aviation Services begins Portuguese air medical operations

Gulf Med Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Medilink International, has commenced operations of the Emergency Medical Helicopter Service (SHEM), on behalf of Portugal’s National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM).

The move marks Gulf Med Aviation Services’ first entry into the Portuguese market.

In the initial operational phase, the company will employ an H135 and an H145 helicopter in medical configuration, before transitioning to a fleet of four Airbus H145s, based in four “strategically positioned” locations.

The operation will be developed in collaboration with INEM, maintaining “all clinical protocols and operational procedures” defined by the Institute. All medical teams will be comprised of INEM professionals.

Operations will maintain 24-hour availability, 365 days a year, with optimized processes to minimize downtime.

“Portugal is a strategic market for us, not only due to the recognized excellence of its emergency medical system, but also for the opportunity to contribute to a service that is truly vital for the Portuguese population,” said Maria Melillo, CEO of Medilink International Group. “This operation demonstrates our capacity to expand internationally whilst maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety that have defined the Medilink group for more than three decades.”

INEM recently reopened a helicopter landing pad at the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, to facilitate air ambulance operations.