The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) this morning deployed its medical helicopter to Choma, Southern Province, to evacuate an 83-year-old man requiring urgent specialist neurological care in Lusaka.

The patient had been admitted to Choma General Hospital after being diagnosed with an acute stroke affecting the right middle cerebral artery.

Southern Province Health Director (PHD), Dr. Callistus Kaayunga, submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to authorise the evacuation. The request was subsequently approved by the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi.

The patient was referred to Maina Soko Military Hospital for specialist neurological assessment. Given his advanced age and the complexity of his condition, air evacuation was deemed the safest and most appropriate option.

ZFDS deployed helicopter 9J-KDK, which flew from Ndola to Choma. The aircraft was piloted by Senior Pilot Zachariah Mbewe and Co-Pilot Timothy Gibbs, with Paramedic Prince Mwewa providing continuous medical monitoring throughout the flight.

The crew arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) ZAF Base in Lusaka at 11:55 hours, where the patient was safely handed over to a receiving medical team from Maina Soko Military Hospital for further specialised treatment.