During the peak of the pandemic, hospitals in the Grand Est region in France were overwhelmed with the number of Covid-19 patients, while Luxembourg's hospitals were able to cope. In March and April, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps oversaw the transfer of several patients from intensive care units in the Grand Est, via ambulance or helicopter. Some were hospitalised in Luxembourg, while others were transferred to less busy hospitals in the rest of France.
In an answer to a parliamentary question from LSAP MP Mars Di Bartolomeo, Minister Taina Bofferding clarified last week that the Luxembourg government supported the cost of transferring five Covid-19 patients from Alsace to Luxembourg using the Luxembourg Air Rescue helicopters.
Luxembourg initiated these five transfers after Prime Minister Xavier Bettel made the decision to support French hospitals. The cost included flight time, preparation and organisation, as well as the oxygen used on board. The government also covered disinfection costs and that of additional staff required to carry out the transfers. The Ministry declined to confirm the exact cost of the transfers.
The French government financed the transfers carried out at its request, in particular for a patient transported from Ettelbruck to Colmar by Luxembourg Air Rescue on 14 April. This was also the case for transfers between hospitals in France with Luxembourg's support, in line with an agreement between the French government and Luxembourg Air Rescue.
