Zimbabwe to launch air ambulance service
Six Rostec air ambulance helicopters have been stationed in four bases across the country
The government of Zimbabwe is expected to launch initial services of its new air ambulance program on 17 August, to coincide with the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit.
The date was confirmed in a report by Zimbabwe’s state-owned Chronicle newspaper, which said that the program is expected to reach full operational capacity by December.
The air ambulance service will employ six helicopters:
- Two in Bulawayo, serving the province of the same name
- Two in the capital city Harare
- One at Victoria Falls, covering the province of Matabeleland North
- One in Manicaland Province.
The rotorcraft are part of a fleet of 18 received from Russian manufacturer Rostec last year – of which six have been allocated to provide air medical services.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.