By Kuda Pembere
The operationalization of air medical rescue services within Zimbabwe’s public health system is expected to be ‘up and flying’ by end of year starting with six helicopters across four provinces.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told journalists on the sidelines of a handover ceremony where Russia donated cholera commodities at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) that they trained some pilots for medical air evacuation.
Already we have started operationalizing the air ambulance. We are going to start with six helicopters, which are already converted to ambulances. We have had our health staff trained, I think we trained about 20 staff to operate in those ambulances. And as we speak, our pilots, a lot of pilots are being trained for we call it conversion,” he said.
He said the six will cover Harare Metropolitan Province, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, the resort town of Victoria Falls and Manicaland province.
“The helicopters go to the SADC industrialization conference which is taking place at the HICs. You will see that the helicopters are stationed there.
“We have some stations during the upcoming SADC summit. So we are starting with two to be operational now, and every month we are going to add another helicopter until six operational. We hope by the end of the year that we’ll be six with an operation.
“Two are going to be stationed here in Harare, two in Bulawayo, one in Victoria Falls, and one in Manicaland. We have strategically mapped out those stations that we are able to cover the whole of Zimbabwe,” the Health Minister said.
Russian Federation Ambassador to Zimbabwe Russian Federation Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr. Nikolai Krasilnikov said there are some medical helicopters to be delivered later.
“There is also a very special project aimed at establishing in Zimbabwe a national air ambulance service on the basis of Russian helicopters already stationed here in this country and those which will be delivered later.
“I’d like to emphasize that it was launched due to the well-established and fruitful dialogue of President Putin and President Mnangagwa.
“In June this year, they had another round of discussion in the city of Saint Petersburg, where President Mnangagwa visited the facilities of Kelly Drive Private Company, which is the major air ambulance operator in Russia,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador also stated that Zimbabwean pilots are being trained by Russians on how to use their helicopters.
“And earlier this year, the blueprint of the project was designed during the visit to Moscow by Honorable Minister Mombeshora and his meeting with Russian counterpart, Honorable Minister Murashko, Minister of Health.
“So after receiving approval at the highest level, the implementation of the project has been facilitated significantly, and right now Russian pilots are training Zimbabwean colleagues while doctors and nurses are being recruited.
“And when the helicopter project becomes tangible, operational, it will contribute to achieving the national development goals set by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and it will also enhance Russia-Zimbabwe cooperations – cooperation and partnership in the healthcare and in other spheres,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Krasilnikov said a team of Russian gynecologists will be in Zimbabwe in October.
“We have a lot in the making. For example, in October, we’ll have in the city of Mishin-Novorossiysk in Russia, we’ll have international exercises for medical response in emergency situations, and Honorable Minister Mombeshora has got an invitation to lead a Zimbabwe delegation to this event.
