National call centre for air ambulances 

Source: National call centre for air ambulances – herald

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

HELIDRIVE National Air Rescue Services is establishing a national emergency call centre to streamline its pioneering air ambulance operations, in line with its broader vision to set up strategic bases across Zimbabwe.

Currently, the air ambulance helicopters are stationed in Harare and Bulawayo, with a coverage radius of up to 180 kilometres from each base.

However, plans are underway to expand operations nationwide, with Victoria Falls expected to become the next active base.

In an interview last week, Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of the six doctors attached to the service provider, said preparations for the national call centre were at an advanced stage.

“Currently, we are working on a national call centre, where distress calls will be sent to,” said Dr Gumbo.

“Once a call comes in, trained staff will ask key questions to assess whether the situation requires a ground ambulance or an air evacuation.”

The establishment of Helidrive was born out of bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation.

President Mnangagwa and his Russian counterparts agreed on the need to develop a robust air rescue system to address the country’s historical challenges in medical air transportation.

“Next month, we are hoping that our Victoria Falls base will be functional,” added Dr Gumbo.

“We have identified points throughout the country on which we will establish future operational bases in Victoria Falls, Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range.

“These bases are determined by the range which our helicopters cover, that is 180km, one way.

“This is the first national air service in Africa that is not privatised.

“We are the first country to have such a service in Africa, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa.”

Dr Gumbo explained that the selection of bases is also influenced by the availability of refuelling facilities, though she expressed optimism that by the end of the year, Helidrive would have the capacity to respond to emergencies anywhere in Zimbabwe.

In the interim, the service provider has mapped alternative routes to reach patients in need.

The air ambulance initiative is part of the Government’s broader agenda to modernise Zimbabwe’s health sector as the nation works towards attaining upper middle-income economy status in the next five years.

Air ambulances are vital for transporting critically ill or injured patients who cannot travel by conventional means.

Equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly skilled personnel, these helicopters provide hospital-grade intensive care while overcoming geographical barriers, making them an indispensable component of modern emergency response systems.