Story by Grace Sibanda
IN a move aimed at complementing government efforts in the provision of quality health care, a local aviation company, Halsteds Aviation Corporation (HAC) has launched a medical division for air ambulances to ensure that Zimbabweans have access to affordable emergency health services across the country.
Flight doctor Dr Mathias Nharingo said their flights are well equipped and provide efficient services as part of efforts to reduce the mortality rate.
“The air ambulances are built to carry a load of 130 kg or less. In it, is all the necessary machinery and the crew is well-equipped to handle all medical issues. Our aim is to help the people of Zimbabwe receive quick medical health care regardless of their status, it could be a granny deep in the village, it could be beside the roadside or someone who is on holiday deep in the heart of the country and we will still reach there and offer immediate evacuation.”
The company’s medical director Dr Tapiwanashe Kusotera revealed that the new air ambulances also have evacuation packages for tourists’ thus promoting destination Zimbabwe.
“Our services are an effort to draw more tourists into the country because once tourists feel safe in the country, it enables them to come in numbers knowing that the health sector in the country is swift and quick to respond in dire situations. We therefore are moving with the government`s mantra of building our own nation and making it more accessible and safer for people from other countries,” said Dr Kusotera.
This comes after the government procured 12 air ambulances from Russia to complement the ground fleet as it moves in to ensure universal health coverage.
