The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) yesterday successfully executed life-saving emergency medical evacuation mission across two provinces, airlifting four patients from Chinsali General Hospital and one patient from Mansa General Hospital to Lusaka for advanced specialist treatment.

The urgent referral requests were made by Dr. Mackford Chipili, Medical Superintendent at Mansa General Hospital, and Dr. Simuyemba Kasuba, Acting Medical Superintendent at Chinsali General Hospital, citing the need for specialized intervention at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the National Heart Hospital.

Approval for the transfers was granted by the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Lishimpi.

The ZFDS aircraft, registration 9J-FDS, commenced the mission from Ndola at 07:02 hours, landing in Mansa at 07:55 hours before proceeding to Chinsali, where it arrived at 10:30 hours. The medical team promptly prepared the patients for transfer, three of whom required continuous oxygen support.

The aircraft departed Chinsali at 11:31 hours, with ZFDS paramedics providing continuous in-flight medical monitoring and care. The mission was successfully completed under the command of Chief Pilot Patrick Kawanu and Co-Pilot Elvis Kite, with the aircraft landing safely in Lusaka at 13:20 hours.

Upon arrival at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Base at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the patients were immediately handed over to awaiting ambulance teams and transferred to UTH and the National Heart Hospital for urgent management.

The Zambia Flying Doctor Service remains dedicated in its commitment to delivering cost-effective and efficient aeromedical services across the Country.