The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today successfully evacuated an 18-year-old female patient from Kasempa to Lusaka for urgent specialized treatment.

The patient is reported to have been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called metastatic choriocarcinoma, which is a rare pregnancy related cancer.

The swift flight was deemed life-saving after medical investigations revealed the urgent need for the evacuation due to the rapid spread of the disease.

The emergency evacuation was set in motion following a formal request from kasempa district.

The patient was initially admitted on October 4, 2025, with severe vaginal bleeding and anemia.Initial procedures confirmed molar pregnancy.

Despite subsequent surgical interventions, the condition worsened.

Chest X-ray findings revealed “cannonball metastases,” a term indicating the cancer had spread aggressively to her lungs.

Following an urgent consultation with the National Gynecological Oncology Team on October 16, an immediate transfer to the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka was mandated for advanced management

The Zambia Flying Doctor Service responded immediately the approval from the Ministry of Health was given and an aircraft, registration number 9J-AGC, was deployed from Ndola.

The aircraft departed Ndola at 08:19 hours, landed at Mukinge at 09:25 hours, and took off with the patient onboard at 09:40 hours.

The flight flown by Director Aviation Services Lasford Manchisi and Chanda Mumpangwe landed safely at the ZAF Base at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka at 11:05 hours.

Upon arrival, an ambulance from the National Heart Hospital (NHH) swiftly conveyed the patient directly to the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH), where she is now admitted for further specialized care.

We pray for the quick recovery of the patient as we continue to enhance the Ministry of Health and the Governments bid for Universal Health Coverage for all.