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    HomeIlangaAmbulance helicopter airlifts first patient

    Ambulance helicopter airlifts first patient

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    By Liberty Mutamba and Jonah B Moyo

    THE recently acquired air ambulance sprang into action last week when it was required to conduct a mercy flight with a patient in a critical condition from Gwanda Provincial Hospital to Bulawayo.

    The calm atmosphere around the sleepy mining town was shattered as the rotor blades of the helicopter ambulance whirred their way while the aircraft sought a landing strip as perplexed residents watched the crew spring into time critical action – the difference between life and death.

    The ear splitting sound of the helicopter ambulance may have unsettled and awed residents used to the sound of haulage trucks and that of the occasional trains on their way to and from Beitbridge, but for the patient, who waited to be airlifted to Bulawayo, the hovering as the air ambulance looked for a landing pad, was good news. The sound of the helicopter ambulance was confirmation that half of the dilemma had been solved and the patient would avoid the hell run by road at speeds of120km an hour to Bulawayo from the small mining town of Gwanda for further treatment.

    The ground hospital ambulance crew, without wasting time, raced with the patient to St Christopher’s Primary School, where the helicopter ambulance had landed.

    Moments later, the colourfully painted helicopter was airborne, with its patient and headed for Bulawayo. What had played out in the gaze of Gwanda residents was like a scene from a movie. Long after it had already arrived in Bulawayo safely, the aircraft and the service it has so far brought to Matabeleland South Province, were the talk of this mining town. A real life saver.

    The provincial capital is among cities and towns that have received a major boost in the health sector, to airlift their patients from remote sites to major hospitals for further care and management. The siren from Gwanda Provincial Hospital usually heading to Bulawayo has changed its course, instead heading for the nearby helicopter landing pad.

    As the major referral hospital in the province, Gwanda receives patients from all the seven district hospitals in Matabeleland South Province. Previously when a patient needed further services, he or she would be transferred by road for the nearly 130km along the A6 highway – something that can take up to two hours’ drive depending on traffic and the state of the highway.

    But mindful of the criticality of time in emergencies, the Government has intervened and availed an air ambulance to airlift patients.

    Onlookers had nothing but praises for the Government, with one of them, Thokozani Dube, declaring the helicopter ambulances a game-changer.

    “This is first of its kind, we are really delighted about this gesture. Our Government is a listening Government. We have had a number of cases where people die along the road because of traffic congestion and poor road network. All that these obstacles have been removed as patients are airlifted.  I heard that the service is free of charge and the helicopter has trained personnel. Personally I am glad about this,” said Dube.

    The Mayor of Gwanda Town, Alderman Thulani Moyo applauded the Government for delivering the air ambulance service, saying this was a major boost both the council,  Gwanda community and the province.

    “Our road networks are not 100 percent perfect for an ambulance to travel 120 kilometres an hour with the patient in critical condition on board. We have lost many lives on the roads, but if we had this new kid on the block those lives could have been saved. The Government saw the gap and promised people of Gwanda the helicopter ambulance. Patients at airlifted at zero charges.”

    The Mayor confirmed that the helicopter ambulance has trained personnel (paramedic), who also help patients along the journey.

    “With this new helicopter ambulance, we are two steps ahead now as there is a doctor employed to treat patients inside the helicopter during the flight to the referred hospital. We are pleased with what President Emmerson Mnangagwa has done. Now we feel like a huge priority has been covered and this will ensure that the council looks at other things to improve service delivery,” the Mayo said.

    Gwanda has open doors for investors who are keen to revive and rehabilitated the airdrome to lure more aviation to the mining town.

    Gwanda Provincial Hospital acting public relations officer, Hebert Ndlovu, praised the Government for what it has done to the health sector.

    “We thank the Government for making strides to ensure that patients have trust in our health sector and also we can save lives. Our role is to save patients. Seeing them die along the road was a hard thing for us. The mortality rate is likely to decrease.

    “The helicopter ambulance offers free service to patients. We do not just call for the helicopter ambulance. We do that only under the instruction of the doctor. I am glad to announce that our first patient arrived at United Bulawayo Hospital safely, and her condition is now in good state,” explained Ndlovu.

    In 2023 Zimbabwe received a fleet of 18 Russian made Kazan Ansat and M-17 light multi-purpose helicopters in a deal initiated by President Mnangagwa, which deal ensures that patients access better medical care timeously.

    The helicopters, which are vital cogs in the realisation of the national vision, are for use as air ambulances, for rescue missions in case of disasters and air policing.

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