Božinović highlighted that two new Bell helicopters -- the only ones of their kind in Europe -- are now in service for Croatian citizens, with one based in Zagreb and the other in Dubrovnik. Each helicopter can carry two patients and is faster and more powerful than previous models. A third helicopter is planned for the Kvarner region. They can also be used for rescue and civil protection operations.
Pezo noted the new helicopter can handle challenging weather and improve access to healthcare on islands, particularly Lastovo, the county's only remote island.
In 2025, Croatian Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HHMS) teams carried out 2,491 interventions nationwide, up from 1,331 in 2024. Dubrovnik-based teams conducted 336 interventions, those based in Split (Brač) 864, teams in Rijeka (Krk) carried out 709 interventions, and those in Zagreb and Osijek 398 and 184 interventions respectively. Of these, 225 were primary, 2,000 secondary, and 266 inter-hospital transfers.
In Dubrovnik-Neretva County, interventions increased from 427 in 2024 to 530 in 2025.