Aeromedical transfers from Andros and Amorgos

A series of aeromedical and maritime patient transfers from Cycladic islands took place in the last twenty-four hours, aimed at transporting patients to Attica hospitals for specialized medical care. These operations are routine practice during the summer season, when the island population multiplies and local health facilities operate under pressure.

A Super Puma helicopter of the Hellenic Air Force transported one patient from Andros to Eleusis. At the same time, an AW-109S helicopter, which has been made available through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, transferred one patient from Amorgos, also to Eleusis. From there, patients are forwarded by ambulance to the hospitals designated as their destination.

During the same period, maritime patient transfers also took place from Paros and Folegandros, coordinated by local port authorities. In these cases, transfer is carried out by water vessels when weather conditions or the patient’s condition do not permit helicopter use, or when the distance makes it feasible. No information was provided about the health status of the patients or identifying details.

The aeromedical transfer system relies on a combination of means: Hellenic Air Force helicopters, aerial assets made available through donations, as well as aircraft and vessels of the Port Authority. Coordination is provided by the National Centre for Health Operations in collaboration with EKAB (National Ambulance Service) and port authorities, prioritizing cases that cannot be managed at island health centers.

For the Cyclades, the issue of transfers is ongoing and linked to the lack of specialized services on most islands. Only Syros has a general hospital with a broader range of specialties, while other islands are served by health centers and peripheral medical clinics. Every case requiring intensive care or highly specialized surgery necessarily requires transfer outside the island.

Distance, weather conditions and the availability of aircraft determine the time that elapses from the call to the patient’s arrival at an Attica hospital — a time that in some cases is critical for the outcome of the case. No total number of transfers carried out from Cycladic islands this year has been announced, nor whether there is an increase compared to previous years.

Also not made public is whether there were delays due to the strong winds prevailing in the Aegean, which can make helicopter flight impossible at certain locations. Transfers are expected to continue at the same pace as long as the peak season lasts. Strengthening the health facilities of the islands during summer months remains a standing demand of local authorities, one that resurfaces every summer.