In an operation of significant logistical complexity, the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) evacuated two patients with severe disabilities from Lusaka to their respective homes in the Kapiri Mposhi and Kasama districts on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

This mission showcases the strengthened collaboration between the ZFDS and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) in providing medical transport for injured workers.

Both beneficiaries are paraplegic, and considering their delicate medical status, road travel posed a risk.

The evacuation began early Tuesday morning as the ZFDS Call Center liaised with Fairview International Hospital of Zambia to mediate the transport of the discharged patients to the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Zambia Air Force Base).

To manage the varying degrees of terrain and infrastructure challenges, the mission employed a strategic mix of fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter.

The ZFDS aircraft registration 9J FDS, flown by Deputy Director of Aviation Services Patrick Kawanu and Co-pilot Chanda Mupangwe, took off from Lusaka at 10:20 hours.

Paramedic Suzen Banda and anaesthetist Musenge Bupe were on board to provide constant care.The flight arrived at ZFDS Headquarters in Ndola at 11:20 hours.

The long-haul flight to the Northern Province was conducted via the ZFDS fixed-wing aircraft 9J AGC, led by the Director of Aviation Services’ Lasford Manchisi and Co-Pilot Siphosami Zulu.

They reached Kasama at 14:20 hours, supported by paramedics Mwewa Prince and Bwalya Chisanga.

In the most delicate phase of the operation, a helicopter was required because Kapiri Mposhi lacks an accessible airstrip for fixed-wing planes.

The ZFDS helicopter, registration 9J-KDK, piloted by Senior Pilot Zacharia Mbewe and Timothy Gibbs, departed the ZFDS base at 11:52 hours and landed in Kapiri at 12:44 hours to safely deliver the beneficiary.

This mission has been conducted under the existing MOU between the WCFCB and ZFDS.