The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) successfully conducted six critical surgical procedures on the final day of its outreach programme in Serenje District, reaffirming its commitment to delivering specialist healthcare services to underserved communities.

On Day 7 of the medical mission, the surgical team completed a full operating theatre list, attending to a wide range of conditions affecting both children and adults. The procedures included secondary suturing for a severe surgical site infection in a 9-year-old girl, surgical debridement for a diabetic foot in a 63-year-old man, and excision of a submandibular lipoma in a 52-year-old patient.

In addition, the team managed a mid-shaft femur fracture in a 3-year-old child using skin traction, treated burn injuries in a 5-year-old patient through sloughectomy under sedation, and performed a complex thrombectomy and haemorrhoidectomy on a 36-year-old man with prolapsed and thrombosed haemorrhoids.

All six procedures were successfully completed without intraoperative complications, with patients reported to be stable and recovering well under close medical supervision.

These surgical interventions formed part of a broader effort that also included ward rounds and pre-operative assessments, ensuring continuity of care for patients requiring further treatment.

ZFDS medical personnel worked closely with local health staff to uphold high standards of care, ensure efficient patient management, and maintain strict infection prevention and control protocols throughout the outreach.

The successful surgeries highlight the critical role of outreach programmes in bridging the healthcare gap in rural districts, where access to specialised surgical services remains limited.