The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) yesterday evacuated a twenty one (21-year-old) road Traffic accident (RTA) victim to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka for urgent neurosurgical intervention.

The critical medical transport was authorized by Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi Permanent Secretary-Technical Services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) following a request from Livingstone General Hospital.

The patient was initially admitted at the hospital with a severe cervical spine injury sustained in a recent road traffic accident.

According to Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Kor Chiyenu, a road transfer was deemed unsafe due to the complexity of the injury and the lack of neurosurgical equipment.

After receiving MOH approval, ZFDS dispatched airplane registration number 9J-AGC to perform the emergency air transport.

The plane departed Ndola at 13:03 hours with a team of paramedics on board and landed at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport at 15:11, where the patient was picked from.

The flight then departed at 16:05 and landed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport's ZAF side at 17:35.

A medical team from UTH was on site to transport the patient directly to the referral facility for admission.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Health continues to ensure effective and efficient health service delivery for all.