inputtime：2024-11-23 12:00:00 From：Qilu Hospital
From November 20 to 22, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, in collaboration with the Foundation of French Academy of Medicine (FAM) and the Airbus Foundation, successfully organized the China-France Aeromedical Emergency Rescue Training Program. The opening ceremony was attended by Cui Chengli, Level 2 Inspector of Health Commission of Shandong Province; Romain JACQUET, Health, Social Affairs, and Labor Counselor of the French Embassy in China; Chen Yuguo, President of Qilu Hospital; Richard VILLET, Secretary-General of the Foundation of French Academy of Medicine; and Joseph Baptiste, representative of Airbus Helicopters and the Airbus Foundation. Leaders and guests from Qilu Hospital, Shandong Hi-Speed Group, Huatong Aviation, and other partner institutions were also present. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Han Hui, Vice President of Qilu Hospital. Over 180 experts and scholars from the field of aeromedical rescue across China participated in the training.
Through two days of theoretical lectures and one day of practical workshops, the trainees further enhanced their professional skills and competencies. This program not only strengthened the construction of aeromedical rescue teams but also injected new momentum into Qilu Hospital’s efforts to establish the nation’s first integrated “sea-land-air” intelligent aeromedical rescue system. It also supports the high-standard development of the National Medical Center, which is tasked with handling regional critical care transfer and consultation, emergency medical rescues, and other vital functions.
The opening ceremony was held on the morning of November 20 at Qilu Building, Qilu Hospital. In his speech, Cui Chengli emphasized the long-standing friendship between China and France and their fruitful collaborations in the medical field. He noted that the training program represents not only a significant technical exchange but also a crucial step in deepening humanitarian care and enhancing the influence of aeromedical rescue. This initiative is of great importance for improving aeromedical rescue capabilities in Shandong Province and across China, as well as for refining the emergency medical rescue system.
Romain JACQUET highlighted that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Since the signing of a framework agreement on medical cooperation in 2023, the two countries have achieved a series of new milestones. He expressed hope for strengthened collaboration in the field of aeromedical emergency rescue to foster mutual development.
Professor Chen Yuguo underscored Qilu Hospital’s role as a dual-center institution for the National Medical Center and the National Regional Medical Center. He noted that the hospital has always attached great importance to the development of emergency medical systems, pioneering the establishment of a chest pain center and leading the creation of China’s first emergency medical platform, which covers 3,124 hospitals nationwide. The hospital also released China’s first Report on Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which was recognized as one of China’s top medical advancements in 2023. In July 2024, Qilu Hospital launched its integrated “sea-land-air” intelligent aeromedical rescue system, which has successfully transported five critically ill patients in collaboration with Shandong Hi-Speed Group in the past month, saving their lives. Qilu Hospital would continue to provide efficient and convenient helicopter emergency medical rescue services in Shandong Province, setting industry benchmarks and advancing the development of aeromedical rescue in China.
Richard VILLET shared that Foundation of French Academy of Medicine has extensive experience and expertise in aeromedical rescue. Over the past decade, it has conducted helicopter emergency medical rescue training programs worldwide, training over 1,800 medical professionals. He described this training program as a significant milestone in China-France aeromedical rescue cooperation and a concrete joint step toward advancing global aeromedical rescue efforts.
Joseph Baptiste expressed his hope that the trainees would gain valuable knowledge and skills from the program, which they could apply in their respective roles to save more lives. He affirmed that the Airbus Foundation and Airbus Helicopters would continue to support aeromedical rescue training and related collaborations in Shandong Province.
In his remarks, Professor Han Hui reiterated Qilu Hospital’s commitment to the principle of “putting people and life first.” He emphasized the hospital’s dedication to learning advanced international concepts, systems, and technologies in aeromedical rescue, deepening cooperation mechanisms, and continuously improving the “airborne lifeline” for critical care and transfers. These efforts aim to enhance medical rescue capabilities in Shandong and surrounding regions, better serving and safeguarding public health, and contributing to the development of China’s aeromedical rescue industry.
Following the opening ceremony, Professor Chen Yuguo and Richard VILLET exchanged gifts as a symbol of the deepening partnership.
The training program officially commenced with theoretical lectures delivered by four experts: Aline BONNOT-TALBOT, Frédéric CHAVET, Hervé COADOU, and Ralph SETZ. Professor Huang Qibing, Director of the Department of Emergency Neurosurgery (NICU) at Qilu Hospital, shared insights into the hospital’s aeromedical rescue system and practices.
On November 22, practical training sessions were held at the Laiwu Xueye Aeromedical Rescue and Training Base. Over 100 trainees, guided by the four experts, systematically explored the characteristics, applications, and operational methods of various aeromedical rescue vehicles. They also simulated the transfer of critically ill patients using different models of rescue vehicles. At the closing ceremony, Lian Xuehong, Assistant President of Qilu Hospital, and Richard VILLET delivered closing remarks on behalf of their respective institutions. Together with Professor Hervé COADOU, they presented training certificates to the participants.
During the training period, hospital leaders held discussions with experts from Foundation of French Academy of Medicine and Airbus Helicopters, reaching agreements on further in-depth cooperation. These discussions aimed to advance the construction of an integrated “sea-land-air” intelligent aeromedical rescue system and establish new models, systems, and standards for aeromedical emergency rescue.
France, home to one of the world’s most advanced helicopter emergency medical rescue systems, has maintained close ties with its Chinese counterparts. This training program stands out for its broad participant base, with 136 trainees from eight provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China, and its exceptional faculty, all members of Foundation of French Academy of Medicine’s Helicopter Rescue Scientific Committee, including helicopter pilots, emergency physicians, anesthesia nurses, aeromedical system management experts, etc. The program also featured simultaneous interpretation and utilized the most diverse range of practice vehicles, including two Airbus H135 medical rescue helicopters, one Airbus H125 patrol helicopter, and a 5G+ intelligent ambulance, ensuring optimal training outcomes with trainees conducting multiple rounds of practice and discussion in groups.
Currently, the “sea-land-air” integrated intelligent aeromedical rescue system jointly developed by Qilu Hospital and Shandong Hi-Speed Group boasts several key features:
Advanced Equipment: The deployed Airbus H135 medical rescue helicopter is the global preferred model for aeromedical rescue, equipped with specialized medical modules.
Extensive Deployment: Eleven Airbus H135 medical rescue helicopters and two general-purpose patrol helicopters are stationed across 11 cities in Shandong Province, accounting for one-third of China’s total medical rescue helicopter fleet.
Exceptional Team: Since 2015, Qilu Hospital has been conducting helicopter aeromedical rescue and has built a multidisciplinary aeromedical rescue team with extensive experience in pre-hospital emergency care, emergency medicine, and critical care.
Cutting-Edge Equipment: Qilu Hospital features a helipad directly connected to emergency units, and the self-developed 5G+ intelligent onboard medical equipment enables the principle of “boarding equals admission” for critically ill patients.
The successful hosting of this training program marks a significant step forward for Qilu Hospital in the field of helicopter medical rescue. The hospital will continue to leverage its strengths and collaborate with partners to advance the development of national aeromedical rescue services, safeguarding the health and well-being of the public.
