[electronic translation] FinnHEMS, which operates medical helicopters, has been transferred to state ownership. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the corporate governance of the new state-owned company.

The Minister of Family and Basic Services, Krista Kiuru, and the directors of the five university hospital districts have signed a deed of sale, by which all the shares in FinnHEMS Oy were transferred to state ownership.

The transfer of the shares to the state will not cause any other changes, ie the company’s Board of Directors, personnel and operations will remain unchanged. FinnHEMS is still responsible for arranging the aviation service and hospital districts for emergency care.

In the future, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will appoint a new board for the company. In addition, a steering group will be established in the company, whose task will be to assess and ensure that the aviation service serves emergency care in an optimal way. Representatives from all university hospital districts will be appointed to the group.

– A phased ownership arrangement has taken place and the state, as a long-term financier of operations, is now also taking on the role of owner. The arrangement secures the continuity of Finnish medical helicopter operations, says Jyri Örri, CEO of FinnHEMS .