Gwangju Nambu Fire Station Reports 14.2% Increase in First Quarter Ambulance Dispatches Compared to Previous Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Nambu Fire Station of Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 14th that ambulance dispatches increased in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year.

According to the 119 ambulance activity statistical analysis for the first quarter of this year, a total of 2,412 ambulance dispatches transported 1,555 emergency patients. This means an average of 27 ambulance dispatches per day, transporting 17 patients to hospitals.

Compared to the same quarter last year, with a total of 2,112 ambulance dispatches and 1,486 emergency patients, the number of dispatches increased by 14.2%, and hospital transports increased by 4.6% respectively.

By patient type, there were 879 cases of acute illnesses such as COVID-19, 304 cases of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, 228 cases of accident injuries, 108 cases of traffic accidents, and 893 cases of others including intoxicated persons.

In particular, due to the spread of COVID-19, ambulance dispatches for acute illnesses increased by 14.3% compared to the previous year, causing difficulties in ambulance activities such as bed shortages, and ambulance dispatches for chronic diseases have been over 300 cases each quarter.

Go Jung-hyun, head of the 119 Disaster Response Team, said, “We are putting all our efforts not only into transporting COVID-19 patients but also into all ambulance dispatches including chronic diseases (hypertension). Through the 119 ambulance activity statistical analysis, we will proactively respond to the increasing demand for fire services and strive to provide fire services tailored to citizens by strengthening the capabilities of field personnel.”