The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today successfully conducted a cross-country medical evacuation and repatriation, deploying both a fixed-wing Caravan aircraft and a helicopter to support two patients with spinal injuries yesterday 5th February,2026.

ZFDS evacuated a paraplegic patient from Kapiri Mposhi to Lusaka for specialised medical care, while repatriating another paraplegic patient to his home in Solwezi following a routine medical review.

The emergency operation was undertaken following a request from the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB).

The first patient, a resident of Kapiri Mposhi, required specialised treatment at Lusaka International Hospital. A ZFDS helicopter, registration 9J-KDK, crewed by Senior Pilot Zachariah Mbewe and Co-Pilot Timothy Gibbs, departed Ndola and arrived in Kapiri Mposhi at 09:14 hours. The patient was immediately airlifted to Lusaka.

Upon arrival, the patient was safely handed over to the medical team at Fairview Hospital, Lusaka.

In a parallel operation, ZFDS repatriated a 78-year-old paraplegic patient to his home in Solwezi after completing a routine medical assessment at Fairview Hospital in Lusaka. The patient was transported aboard a ZFDS Caravan aircraft, 9J-AGC, flown by Acting Deputy Director of Aviation Patrick Kawanu with Co-Pilot Wael Donbouky.

ZFDS, in collaboration with the WCFCB, continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to ensuring that no Zambian worker is denied access to specialised medical treatment or safe medical repatriation due to distance or logistical challenges.