European funds for life: 42 ambulances and a new heliport

The Slovenian government has approved funding for the procurement of 42 emergency medical vehicles and the construction of a new helipad in Kočevje, both supported by European Union funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RPR). The decision was made during yesterday’s cabinet meeting, with the total value of the two projects amounting to 3.69 million euros. These initiatives aim to enhance the country's emergency medical response system, particularly in remote areas. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that all municipalities that applied for the public tender for the acquisition of emergency medical vehicles have been approved. The vehicles are intended for nursing homes operated by local governments. Each vehicle is specially equipped for emergency medical care and includes a mobile unit typically in the form of a caravan or four-wheel drive vehicle. It is staffed by an emergency physician and a trained nurse who work together while traveling and actively provide care. The vehicles are marked with “URGENTI ZDRAVNIK” and are designed to enable faster access to emergency physicians at the scene, especially in critical cases. A total of 42 municipalities submitted applications for the purchase of these vehicles. They include Črnomelj, Metlika, Novo mesto, Kočevje, and others such as Brežice, Črna na Koroškem, Domžale, Grosuplje, Hrastnik, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik, Koper, Kranj, Litija, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Krško, Nova Gorica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroškem, Sežana, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Škofja Loka, Šmarje pri Jelšah, Tolmin, Trbovlje, and Žalec. In addition to the procurement of emergency vehicles, the project also involves the construction of a helipad or helicopter landing site in Kočevje. This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the national emergency medical services through the establishment of a network of helipads, prioritizing the most remote locations. The primary goal of the project is to improve accessibility and speed of emergency medical assistance in the Kočevje region, thereby increasing the safety of its residents. The helipad will be built adjacent to the Kočevje Health Center, which also serves as a satellite emergency center. The project enables faster transport of critically ill patients to hospitals and quicker arrival of emergency medical teams. Both components of the investment, procurement of emergency vehicles and construction of the helipad, are included in the final (seventh) payment request for EU funds under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, which Slovenia will submit to Brussels by September 30, 2026. These investments align with the objectives of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, aiming to create a more modern, accessible, and resilient emergency medical care system for all citizens. The measures reflect Slovenia’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare infrastructure and improving emergency response capabilities across the country.