The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has undertaken an emergency medical evacuation of an 87-year-old male patient from Loloma Mission Hospital in Manyinga to Maina Soko Hospital in Lusaka for specialized medical management.

ZFDS aircraft Helicopter 9J-KDK with Senior Pilot Zachariah Mbewe and Co -Pilot Timothy Gibbs was deployed for the first leg of the operation from pick up point in solwezi to Ndola.

Later ZFDS aircraft caravan 9J AGC with Captain Chanda Mumpangwe and Co -Pilot Siposami Zulu took over the second leg of the operation departing from the ZFDS base at 13:50 hours arriving in Lusaka's Kenneth Kaunda international airport at 14:50 hours.

Dr. Nkonde Mukeya, Medical Officer In-Charge at Loloma Mission Hospital, requested authorization from the Ministry of Health for the urgent evacuation, noting that the patient's condition had not improved despite treatment over the past two days.

ZFDS paramedics Dr. Mesha Shimumba and Prince Mwewa monitored the patient to maintain stability during the flight.

Upon arrival, the patient was safely transferred into the care of the medical team from Maina Soko Military Hospital who were waiting at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for advanced medical treatment.

The operation reaffirms the dedication of ZFDS to providing prompt aero-medical services to hard-to-reach and rural communities, thereby strengthening access to specialized healthcare for critically ill patients across the Country.