Region Dalarna's ambulance helicopter service based in Mora is facing a significant cost increase, with expenses expected to rise by 18 percent during 2026, according to SVT Nyheter. The annual price tag is now approaching 58 million kronor, representing a near-doubling of costs since the service began in 2016.
Increased expenses for fuel, wages, and inflation are cited as contributing factors to the rising costs. Social Democratic regional councilor Sebastian Karlberg, who also sits on the Swedish Air Ambulance municipal association, defended the expenditure, stating, "I think it's worth it." He noted that during the current mandate period, better control and management of the economy has been achieved, which he views as a positive sign for the future.
I think it's worth it.
When the decision was made to operate the ambulance helicopter in-house, the Christian Democrats opposed the move, preferring to contract a private company for the service. Regional councilor Birgitta Sacrédeus (KD) acknowledged that after ten years with the ambulance helicopter, airborne medical care has become essential, but argued that costs are not fairly distributed across the country.
The service, which began in 2016, has seen its costs nearly double over the past decade, raising questions about the sustainability of regional air ambulance services in Sweden's healthcare system.