Zambia Flying Doctor Service

15/03/2026

ZFDS CONDUCTS MEDICAL EVACUATION FROM SOLWEZI TO LUSAKA ⭐️

The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today, 15th March 2026, successfully conducted a medical evacuation from Solwezi to Lusaka to facilitate specialized medical care for a male patient with a complex medical history.

The patient, who has a known history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension, with a previous stroke and dementia, was referred for further evaluation and management in Lusaka. At the time of evacuation, the patient was conscious and clinically stable.

The ZFDS aircraft landed in Solwezi at 10:23 hours and safely arrived in Lusaka at 11:57 hours. Upon arrival, an ambulance from Maina Soko Military Hospital was already on standby to receive the patient and immediately transported him to the facility for continued specialized medical care.

This successful evacuation highlights the critical role the Zambia Flying Doctor Service continues to play in strengthening the national health system by bridging the gap in access to specialized healthcare, particularly for patients in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The Service remains steadfast in its mission to provide timely emergency medical evacuations and outreach services, contributing to Government’s commitment of ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all Zambians.

15/03/2026

ZFDS AIRLIFTS TWO WOMEN FOR EMERGENCY SPECIALIZED CARE ⭐️

Two women in need of urgent specialized medical attention were yesterday, 14th March, airlifted from Lewanika General Hospital to the University Teaching Hospital in a coordinated emergency evacuation carried out by the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS).

The evacuation followed a formal request by Lewanika General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Sikakena Kapatiso, who wrote to the Ministry of Health Zambia Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, seeking urgent air evacuation for the patients. Approval was subsequently granted for the team to take off.

The first patient, a 34-year-old woman, had recently undergone a Caesarean section and later developed serious breathing complications linked to Aspiration Pneumonitis with probable Pulmonary Edema. Her condition required urgent specialist care beyond what was available at the referring facility.

The second patient, aged 38, was battling severe respiratory distress. Due to the severity of her condition, she also required immediate transfer to Lusaka for advanced medical management.

Responding to the request, the ZFDS aircraft 9J-FDS departed the Ndola Zuze Airstrip at 06:05 hours, piloted by Acting Deputy Director of Aviation Services Patrick Kawanu with co-pilot Siphosami Zulu. The aircraft touched down in Mongu at 08:25 hours, where the patients were carefully prepared and loaded onto the aircraft.

After completing the necessary ground preparations, the aircraft departed Mongu at 09:22 hours and later landed safely at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Zuze Base at 11:32 hours. Two ambulances from the University Teaching Hospital and National Heart Hospital were on standby to receive the patients for further specialized treatment.

On board the flight were anaesthetist Bupe Musenge and paramedic Suzen Banda, who closely monitored and provided essential medical support to the patients throughout the journey.

14/03/2026

TEAM ZFDS ⭐️

Congratulations to the Netball Team for emerging Champions in the Zambia Medical Association Tournament held today in Kitwe👏🏽🏆

Well done to all the participating teams that is Netball,Football and Volleyball . We gave it our very best, demonstrated teamwork and sportsmanship, and gained valuable lessons along the way. Every team played an important role in making the tournament a success.

Let us celebrate the spirit of unity, participation, and excellence.

Congratulations Team ZFDS ❤️

14/03/2026

VOLLEYBALL ⭐️ZFDS VS LMMU Sports Day. We don’t own the right to the music.

14/03/2026

14/03/2026

NETBALL ⭐️ZFDS VS KITWE TEACHING HOSPITAL Sports Day. We don’t own the right to the music.

14/03/2026

FOOTBALL ⭐️ZFDS VS RONALD ROSS Sports Day. We don’t own the right to the music.

14/03/2026

ZAMBIA FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE TAKES PART IN NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY ⭐️

The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) is today participating in the National Doctors’ Day celebrations taking place at Ravens Club. The event will culminate in a sports day tournament bringing together medical professionals from across the province.

The celebrations began with a 4.5 km walk, which was led by the Elisha Matambo, Minister for Copperbelt Province. He was supported by the Provincial Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza, Provincial Health Director Dr. Charles Mwinuna, ZFDS Chief Executive Officer Dr. George Ng’uni, and President of the Zambia Medical Association Dr. Masiku Phiri, among other dignitaries.

This year’s National Doctors’ Day is being commemorated under the theme:
“Celebrating Excellence Through Collective Impact in Healthcare.”

During the event, the Zambia Flying Doctor Service is also providing physiotherapy services to participants as part of its contribution to promoting health and wellness.

13/03/2026

Team football

13/03/2026

Friday Sports

12/03/2026

ZFDS AIRLIFTS PATIENT FROM
SOLWEZI TO LUSAKA FOR CRITICAL CARE ⭐️

The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) today, 12th March 2026, successfully evacuated a critically ill patient from Solwezi General Hospital to Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka following a request for emergency medical evacuation made to the Ministry of Health.

In a letter dated 11th March 2026, Dr. Joshua Chisanga, Head of Clinical Care at Solwezi General Hospital, requested authorization from the Ministry of Health to use ZFDS for the urgent evacuation of the patient. The patient was reportee to have been diagnosed with decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, complicated by a history of hypertensive heart disease and stroke.

The ZFDS aircraft, Helicopter 9J-KDK, was deployed for the cross-country mission. The helicopter departed the ZFDS Ndola Zuze base at noon for North-Western Province.

Piloted by Senior Pilot Zachariah Mbewe with Co-Pilot Timothy Gibbs, the helicopter later departed Solwezi with the patient on board and headed to Lusaka. The aircraft landed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 16:50 hours.

During the flight, paramedics Susan Banda and Prince Mwewa closely monitored the patient’s condition before transferring them for specialized cardiac treatment at Maina Soko Military Hospital.

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the patient was safely handed over to the Maina Soko medical team for continued care.

This successful evacuation highlights the critical role played by the ZFDS in bridging Zambia’s healthcare gaps, using air transport to save lives and ensure timely access to specialized medical care regardless of location.