Commercial Planes: The New Flying Hospitals - Humanitarian Aeromedical Retrieval using a Long-Range Commercial Aircraft

World Extreme Medicine Podcast

In this episode host Eoin Walker delves into the remarkable humanitarian aeromedical retrieval mission carried out during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in April 2022. Guests Federico Ghio and Andrea Tomaselli share their firsthand experiences of using a long-range commercial Airbus A320 to evacuate vulnerable refugees from the war zone.

Join us as we explore the innovative adaptation of a commercial airliner for medical purposes, the challenges faced during the operation, and the critical coordination between various agencies. Our guests discuss the importance of paediatric care in such missions, the logistical complexities of transporting individuals with varying medical needs, and the lessons learned for future large-scale aeromedical evacuations.

This episode offers valuable insights into the potential of using commercial aircraft for humanitarian purposes and the power of multi-agency collaboration in crisis response. Whether you're a medical professional, aviation enthusiast, or simply interested in humanitarian efforts, this discussion provides a fascinating look into the intersection of commercial aviation and emergency medical services.

Read the paper here.

Note: This is an audio-only episode.