Prešov-based soldiers raise money for pulse oximeters for local faculty hospital

Prešov-based pilots of 1st and 2nd Helicopter Squadrons, working Search and Rescue (SAR) Service shifts, joined by other Helicopter Wing (HW) personnel, raised money for the J. A. Reiman Faculty Hospital with Outpatient Clinic (FHOC) in Prešov.

After consultations on the hospital's urgent needs, they bought 20 pulse oximeters and handed them over to the hospital to be used to measure the patients' blood oxygen saturation levels, in other words, the body's blood oxygen content. The device provides vital data on the developing condition of COVID-19 patients.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “I am immensely proud of our service personnel for everything they are doing for Slovakia and its citizens during this demanding pandemic period. Not only do hundreds of military professionals help every day wherever needed even over and above their duties independently, but they are also looking for ways to help overstretched Slovak hospitals, medical personnel and patients fighting COVID-19.”

Nataša Špiláková MD, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at FHOC, offered her thanks to the HW members for both the initiative and the gift.