The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today successfully conducted an emergency aeromedical evacuation involving an infant and a critically ill adult patient from Kasama General Hospital to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.

The first patient was a one-year-nine-month-old infant who presented with a blocked airway after a groundnut became lodged in the airway, resulting in excessive coughing and reduced air entry on the right side, accompanied by bilateral rhonchi. Due to the severity of the condition, the child required urgent specialized medical intervention at UTH.

The second patient was a 50-year-old male who sustained a spinal injury following a road traffic accident on 23rd January 2026. Given the critical nature of his condition, air evacuation was deemed the safest option to ensure timely access to specialized care.

In response to the emergency, ZFDS deployed the Caravan, registration 9J-AGC, piloted by Deputy Director of Aviation, Mr. Patrick Kawanu, with Co-Pilot Ms. Chanda Mumpangwe. The aeromedical evacuation was supported by Paramedics Susan Banda and Salifyanji Nachamba, who provided continuous monitoring and care to both patients throughout the flight.

Both patients were transported safely, remained in stable condition, and were successfully handed over to the medical team at the University Teaching Hospital upon arrival.