The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has evacuated five(5) injured football players from Chavuma District today after a tragic road accident that left seven dead and several others injured.

The accident, which took place on October 26 along the Zambezi-Chavuma Road, involved a Toyota Hiace Quantum carrying 19 passengers, including football players and officials en route to a match in Mufumbwe District.

Chavuma District Hospital’s Medical Officer in Charge, Dr. Yorum Mofya, requested urgent air evacuation for five players requiring advanced surgical care at University Teaching Hospital(UTH) in Lusaka.

Ministry of Health (MOH) Permanent Secretary Technical Services (TS), Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, authorized the air evacuation transfer, citing the critical condition of the patients and the risk of worsening injuries on the rough road.

The ZFDS plane, with a medical team on board, landed at Zambezi airstrip at 13:05 hours to evacuate the patients and transported them safely to Lusaka, arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 16:25 hours.

The evacuated patients include:

1. A 23-year-old male with a dislocated right knee, pubic symphysis injury, and severe head trauma.

2. An 18-year-old male with severe head trauma and a suspected basal skull fracture.

3. A 23-year-old male with severe head injury, mandibular and maxillary fractures, a proximal radial fracture, and continuous bleeding from oral lacerations.

4. A 28-year-old male with moderate head trauma and a left clavicle fracture.

5. A 31-year-old male with a left humeral fracture, left clavicle fracture, right malleolar fracture, and multiple abrasions.

University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Zambia Air Force (ZAF) ambulances then transferred the patients to University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for further care and management.

In a separate evacuation conducted yesterday on October 27, the ZFDS transported a spinal injury patient from Kaoma District Hospital to UTH for specialized treatment following another critical incident.

As ZFDS being an aeromedical emergency wing of the Government,we continue to supplement the efforts of the Government through the Ministry of Health in ensuring proper health care for all is achieved.

We wish a quick recovery to all the evacuated patients.