A young first-time mother at Silangwa Rural Health Centre in Kafulafuta Constituency was in prolonged labour when a medical team from the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) arrived at the facility on February 18, 2026 and their timely intervention saved her life.

Without the team’s presence, the delay in diagnosis could have proved fatal. She was immediately stabilised and transferred by a ZFDS emergency vehicle to Masaiti District Hospital for urgent care.

Her case is one of several life-threatening conditions identified during the outreach, which began earlier this week in Masaiti District.

ZFDS has deployed mobile radiography services to selected, hard-to-reach communities in Masaiti District on the Copperbelt. For many women in areas such as Chilese, Chondwe and Silangwa, accessing a simple ultrasound scan previously meant travelling long distances on foot to distant hospitals.

Now, following a request from the District Health Office (DHO), the multidisciplinary team comprising a sonographer, midwife, medical doctor, dentist, eye care personnel, laboratory staff and pharmacy team is delivering a full range of medical services directly within communities.

At Chilese Rural Health Centre alone, medics conducted 71 radiological examinations, including 26 obstetric scans. These scans identified potentially life-threatening conditions such as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts complications that often go undetected in rural settings.

Beyond diagnostic services, the outreach is also providing cervical cancer screening, while 24 men have undergone Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC).

Local health officials from the rural facilities visited so far say the introduction of mobile ultrasound services has the potential to significantly reduce maternal mortality in the district.

ZFDS extends its gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, for enabling the provision.