A trip that got complicated
Álex García Galas, a 36-year-old man originally from Donostia, embarked on a trip to Thailand with his partner, Usoa Martínez, last February 19. Although the trip started out as a vacation, things got complicated when Álex found himself admitted to the ICU at Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok due to severe pancreatitis. This critical situation has generated the need for their repatriation through the Air Force Medical Air Evacuation Unit (UMAER).
The management of repatriation
After several failed attempts at repatriation, Álex’s family requested the intervention of the Medical Air Evacuation Unit of the Air Force (UMAER), which finally took effect. The Ministry of Defense has confirmed that it is working on repatriation, although an exact date for this transfer has yet to be set. According to Defense sources, the procedures to carry out this operation are being studied.
The challenge of repatriation
A report from the Thai hospital has confirmed that, despite Alex’s critical situation, his repatriation is possible if he is carried out on a medical plane. However, it has been warned that this transfer must be immediate, as there is a risk of serious internal bleeding. In addition, there has been an increase in necrotizing pancreatitis, and the antibiotics that are being used are no longer effective.
The obstacles in previous repatriation attempts
Previous attempts at repatriation, once via a regular airline and another on a medical plane, were unsuccessful. This situation led the family to request the intervention of the Medical Air Evacuation Unit of the Air Force (UMAER), which finally made it possible to manage the repatriation.