October 07, 2005
Health Minister Tim Sale today congratulated
the staff of the Lifeflight Air Ambulance at a ceremony celebrating the 20th
anniversary of the program.
Created in 1985, the program was developed to
safely and quickly transport seriously ill or injured patients who require
complex and specialized care. The
Lifeflight program transports patients from isolated rural hospitals and
nursing stations to care centres in Winnipeg.
“Since 1985, Lifeflight has transported more
than 11,000 patients, safely providing the highest possible quality of
specialized health care to Manitobans,” said Sale. “I want to commend and thank the skilled
Lifeflight staff, several of whom have been with the program since the
beginning, for their dedication and commitment to the health of Manitobans.”
The program uses a specially designed Cessna
Citation SII jet to provide the air ambulance service. A group of critical-care physicians, emergency
physicians and obstetricians provides 24-hour medical coverage for the program.
Flight nurses with advanced training and
extensive experience take care of patients before the flight and provide care
throughout the trip. In addition, the flight crews, maintenance staff and
administrative support staff also play crucial roles in providing the
Lifeflight program.
“Lifeflight can mean the difference between
life and death for patients suffering from heart attacks, respiratory failure,
trauma or obstetrical complications, just to name a few,” said Sale. “These outstanding professionals and the first-rate
service they provide make sure Manitobans get better care, sooner.”
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