Field: Health

Subfield: Health system and services

Details:

Emergency medical services represent the total logistic, technical and medical measures and activities conducted by the qualified staff of a medical facility, aimed at saving and preserving the life of people in critical situations. Emergency services are aimed at people who are severely injured or ill, and who require first aid. Ambulance services, as well as other specialized units (SMURD - Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication, Salvamar - Lifeguard services and Salvamont – Mountain rescue) are aimed at offering emergency services and assisted medical transport. This indicator offers data on the capacity of the national medical system (technical equipment, staff, medicine and treatment) to react efficiently to crises and major risks (road accidents, fires, floods, earthquakes etc.). The data shows that from 1990 to 2010 the number of ambulances decreased, followed by a slight increase. The number of people transported by ambulance decreased slightly until 1999, followed by a consistent increase.