Greenlandic patients will increasingly be treated in Iceland instead of in Denmark, says the head of Greenland's health department, Ann Birkekær Kjeldsen.
This will affect intensive care patients such as premature babies and people with kidney and heart problems, she said.
The use of Iceland rather than Denmark will allow for a shorter transportation time and save millions of kroner.
The change will also make new demands on language interpretation services, flights and accommodation facilities, Kjeldsen said.
The most common patients to be treated outside Greenland are premature babies, people with heart conditions and those in need of dialysis.
Accident victims in need of intensive care are also regularly transported to Denmark.
It costs about 400,000 kroner to transport a hospital patient, according to Sermitsiaq.
Greenland to use health care in Iceland
Instead of sending patients to Denmark, Greenland plans to send patients to Iceland because it will be cheaper and quicker.
Published: 14.11.2009 10:09
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