The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today safely evacuated a patient from Mufulira District in the Copperbelt Province to Fairview Hospital in Lusaka for routine medical assessment.

ZFDS deployed its helicopter, 9J-KDK, crewed by Senior Pilot Zachariah Mbewe and Co-Pilot Timothy Gibbs, to conduct the evacuation.

The aircraft reached Mufulira at 08:06 hours, picked up the patient, and departed for Lusaka. It later touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 10:15 hours, where the patient was safely handed over to medical personnel.

Following the successful transfer, the ZFDS crew repatriated three discharged patients from Fairview Hospital back to their homes in Mufulira. The three former mine workers had been admitted to the Lusaka-based facility for routine medical assessments.

All three patients were suffering from pneumoconiosis, an occupational lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of mineral dust in the mining environment.

Paramedics Susan Banda and Salifyanji Nachamba were on board the aircraft, providing medical assistance throughout the mission.

By 14:03 hours, all three patients were safely handed over to the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) Mufulira Branch Office.

This operation highlights the strengthened collaboration between the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) in ensuring timely and safe medical transportation for injured and former workers.