In a significant regional collaboration, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS), have launched a seven-day humanitarian medical outreach program to bring vital relief food, free healthcare to thousands in Zambia's Southern and Western Provinces.

The initiative, which begins today , is a key component of the SADC Aviation Committee's regional disaster response exercise, "Exercise Blue Lugwasho 2025", which was officially flagged-off on Monday, 08 September 2025.

The mission aims to build resilience against climate shocks and food insecurity by providing essential medical services to rural communities, which often face severe challenges with healthcare access.

On September 18, 2025, specialized medical teams from ZAF and ZFDS began their deployment to the districts of Namwala and Sinazongwe in the Southern Province, and Mulobezi and Mwandi in the Western Province.

The outreach in Namwala will kick off on September 19 at Itapa Rural Health Centre, with a specialist surgeon stationed at Namwala District Hospital for the program's duration to handle complex cases.

The teams will also travel to Nakamboma, Katengwa RHC, Kabulamwanda School, and Muchila.

Over the weekend, the mission will set up at Chief Nalubamba's traditional ceremony grounds at Mbeza, providing services at the main arena of the Ikubi Lyabana Munyati traditional ceremony.

In Sinazongwe, the medical team will cover several communities, including Siameja, Siansowa, Siatwiinda, Sinazeze, Nabukowa, Buleyamalima, and Chiyabi, bringing much-needed medical attention to populations that have long struggled to access physicians.

The Western Province outreach will focus on Mulobezi and Mwandi. A specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, along with a dental surgeon, will be on hand to offer specialized oral health services, including extractions and advanced dental treatments.

The combined medical teams will visit a number of health facilities and villages these include Kalundu, Lwazamba, Magumwi, Masese, Mushukula, Sankolonga, and Situlu in Mwandi, while Nawinda, Mulobezi , Bwina RHC, Kamanga, Sisibi, Chibwe, and Kaywala will be visited in Mulobezi.

Beyond specialist interventions, the program will offer a comprehensive suite of free services, including general medical treatment and essential drugs, dental and eye services with free reading glasses, laboratory services for diagnostics, and health education.

The mission is a testament to the importance of cross-border collaboration in public health and disaster preparedness, offering a crucial lifeline to communities that have to travel long distances for medical care.

We thank the Zambia Airforce for providing the opportunity for the ZFDS to participate in ensuring its mandate in the rural and hard to reach areas for Universal Healthcare is achieved for all.