In a swift, high-stakes medical response, the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) executed a critical evacuation mission from Mbala to Lusaka, transporting a toddler in respiratory failure for urgent specialised care.

The emergency evacuation was initiated after Mbala General Hospital requested urgent air support for 1-year-5-month-old who developed severe breathing difficulties after aspirating popcorn seeds while playing.

In a letter dated 19th February 2026, Dr. Siloka Silas, Paediatric Consultant and Acting Head of Clinical Care at Mbala General Hospital, reported that the child had been admitted four days earlier with sudden onset respiratory distress. The infant had a recent history of coryza three days prior to the incident. Clinical examination revealed stridor, chest recessions, and reduced chest expansion on the left side ,all signs of worsening respiratory compromise.

The diagnosis confirmed foreign body aspiration leading to respiratory failure. Following consultation, the paediatric surgical team recommended immediate evacuation through the ZFDS to facilitate urgent specialised intervention at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.

The evacuation request, addressed to the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi was approved on 19th February 2026. ZFDS promptly deployed its Cessna Caravan aircraft, 9J-AGC, for the mission.

The aircraft was piloted by Chanda Mumpangwe, assisted by Co-Pilot Siposami Zulu. Throughout the flight, Paramedic Susan Banda closely monitored the child’s oxygen saturation levels to ensure stability.

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the infant was safely handed over to the waiting medical team from UTH for immediate specialised care.

In a parallel operation, ZFDS also evacuated two beneficiaries of the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) from Kasama to Lusaka for a routine medical review. The paraplegic patients were airlifted to Lusaka International Hospital . The operation was conducted under the ongoing memorandum of service between ZFDS and WCFCB.

These successful evacuations underscore ZFDS’s continued commitment to delivering life-saving emergency medical services and strengthening access to specialised healthcare for communities in remote and hard-to-reach areas across Zambia.