Eight doctors arrived shortly before 9 a.m. in Nevers, under a light drizzle and biting cold, before joining the hospital in the city, capital of Nièvre (200,000 inhabitants).

They were to return to Dijon the same evening.

This "air bridge" aims to connect Nevers at least once a week to the regional capital Dijon in 35 minutes, compared to nearly three hours by car or two and a quarter hours by train.

"The plane is the best way to shorten delays" while the Nevers hospital is, in France, "the furthest departmental hospital from a CHU", the Dijon University Hospital Center where doctors can be available, explained the LREM mayor of Nevers and president of the city's hospital center (CH), Denis Thuriot.

The “Flying Doctors” are pulmonologists, oncologists or other gynecologists intended for the CH where there is a lack of “about fifty doctors and at least 35 nurses”, according to Patrick Bertrand, president of the Medical Commission of the Hospital Center.

But the small eight-seater aircraft also transported two general practitioners from SOS Médecins.

"We are going to set up a structure", currently non-existent in Nièvre, general practitioner Romain Thévenoud told AFP.

"Our goal is to better care for the population," explained CH director Jean-François Segovia at Nevers airport.

"Medical density has dropped by 21% in Nièvre between 2012 and 2022. There are 68 doctors per 100,000 inhabitants compared to an average of 121 in France. There is no dermatologist, only one rheumatologist, an allergist... 20% of patients do not have a treating doctor," he said.

"1,500 times more" CO2

The airlift has a cost but it will in fact "save", assures Mr. Thuriot.

"It costs 670 euros round trip per passenger", while an interim doctor can ask for up to "3,000 euros a day" and that the CH already has an annual deficit of 6 million euros, calculates the mayor .

The measure, however, aroused strong criticism from Nivernais ecologists.

"A journey by plane emits 1,500 times more greenhouse gases than by train", accuses Sylvie Dupart-Muzerelle, EELV municipal councilor of Nevers, who denounces "a blow of com 'at a time when Europe validates the abolition of domestic flights in France when there is an alternative by train in less than 2h30".

However, this measure does not concern private flights such as Dijon-Nevers.

"We must not oppose ecology to public health", however nuanced Wilfrid Séjeau, vice-president EELV of the departmental council, who sits on the supervisory board of Nevers hospital.

"If this solution proves to be really effective, I am ready to accept it," he told AFP.

"No, it's not crazy. It meets a need", defends the mayor of Nevers.

"Let's stop the plane-bashing. Planes take off every morning with businessmen and you don't hear anyone shouting," he adds.

"This avoids car journeys and it will help the Nivernais who have the shortest life expectancy in the region".

"I am aware of the criticisms of the carbon footprint. But we must hear all these people who call 15", adds Doctor Romain Thévenoud, of SOS Médecins.

"We have to fire all the woods", judge for his part the director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), Jean-Jacques Coiplet.

"We will see with use" if it "meets expectations" in terms of care and if it is "good win-win" for Nevers hospital, he adds.

© 2023 AFP