The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has successfully evacuated two critically ill patients from Kitwe Teaching Hospital and Chilonga Mission General Hospital in Mpika to Lusaka for urgent specialist treatment, further demonstrating its commitment to delivering timely emergency healthcare and ensuring access to life-saving medical services for all Zambians, regardless of location.

The first patient, a 17-year-old male from Kitwe, was evacuated after doctors diagnosed severe airway compression caused by a progressively enlarging anterior neck mass.

Medical imaging is reported to have marked mediastinal widening resulting in worsening hoarseness and increasing respiratory distress despite steroid therapy.

Although the patient remained stable on oxygen therapy, doctors warned of a significant risk of respiratory compromise due to progressive airway obstruction, prompting immediate evacuation for specialist cardiothoracic assessment and advanced airway management at the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka.

The second patient, a 30-year-old male from Mpika, was referred from Chilonga Mission General Hospital, medical representatives indicated that the patient underwent emergency surgery after sustaining severe abdominal trauma from a fall. Although surgery stabilized the immediate condition, the patient later developed serious complications necessitating urgent evacuation to Lusaka for advanced specialized management.

The emergency mission was conducted aboard ZFDS aircraft 9J-AGC, piloted by Deputy Director Aviation Services Captain Patrick Kawanu and Co-Pilot Elvis Kite, while paramedics Susan Banda and Bwalya Chisanga provided expert in-flight medical care and continuous patient monitoring throughout the evacuation.

The successful evacuation highlights ZFDS’ unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across Zambia through rapid aeromedical response and the continued provision of timely emergency evacuations under the approval of the Ministry of Health, ensuring critically ill patients have access to specialized medical care.