Second air ambulance helicopter for Nagasaki Prefecture
The prefectural government of Nagasaki, Japan, has announced plans to deploy a second air ambulance helicopter in the region by the end of the 2025 fiscal year
The second helicopter will be used to expand the reliability of air medical services in the western Japanese prefecture.
In particular, they will benefit residents of Nagasaki’s numerous remote islands – many of whom rely on healthcare provision on the mainland.
At present, the prefecture’s only air ambulance helicopter is unable to respond to every callout.
According to a report by the Nagasaki Shinbun local newspaper, in the 2023 fiscal year, the rotorcraft responded to 906 dispatch requests – but could not respond to a further 116 due already being in action.
The prefectural government will also renovate a refuelling facility at the Nagasaki Medical Center ahead of the second helicopter’s introduction.
The UK’s Midlands Air Ambulance Charity recently purchased a new H145 to replace its existing leased EC135.