Vice Defense Minister Inspects Emergency Medical Sites: "Service Members' Health Is Top Priority Amid Heatwave"

Vice Minister of National Defense Lee Doohee visited military medical support sites on July 30 to inspect the emergency medical system and readiness posture.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that on this day, Vice Minister Lee visited military medical support sites that operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the Armed Forces Medical Command, the Armed Forces Trauma Center, and the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

First, Vice Minister Lee visited the command and control room of the Armed Forces Medical Command to check the status of the emergency medical system in response to the ongoing heatwave, as well as the response process in the event of an emergency patient, and inspected the training for situation response at the Integrated Medical Situation Center.

Vice Minister Lee emphasized, "In this record-breaking heatwave, protecting the health and lives of our service members is the top priority," and added, "As the control tower for emergency medical support, the Armed Forces Medical Command must unwaveringly fulfill its role and responsibilities."

At the Armed Forces Trauma Center and the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, which he visited next, Vice Minister Lee inspected equipment and key facilities such as dedicated medical evacuation helicopters, ambulances, and hoists, and checked the scene where rapid evacuation and treatment of emergency patients within the 'golden hour' is being carried out to save lives.

Vice Minister Lee stated, "It is important not only to maintain equipment, but also to verify that the integrated military medical support system is operating organically in the field," and instructed, "We must maintain a flawless readiness posture in the mission of saving lives and protecting our service members."