A rescue helicopter recently landed on the helipad of Shanghai's Ruijin Hospital, transporting a foreign seafarer who suddenly fell ill at sea to the emergency room. This marked the first case since Shanghai launched an air-sea emergency rescue channel for international travelers.

The emergency rescue channel was jointly established by the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, Shanghai Customs, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, and Ruijin Hospital.

After the Filipino sailor suddenly fell ill aboard a vessel anchored off Shanghai on Feb 7, a helicopter airlifted him directly to Ruijin Hospital.

Thanks to seamless coordination between border inspection, emergency medical treatment, and transportation support, the rescue time was reduced by nearly two hours, buying precious time for lifesaving treatment. Following emergency treatment, the seafarer is now out of danger.

The new rescue mechanism streamlines the entire process from entry inspection and quarantine to medical transport and hospital admission, bridging the "last mile" of emergency medical services at the border port, according to Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

Source: Shanghai Observer