Online Reporter
IMAGINE being in a remote area, critically ill or injured and needing urgent medical attention.
In the past, getting timely care would have been nearly impossible, but thanks to the innovative partnership between Zimbabwe and Russia, Helidrive National Air Rescue Service is bridging the gap.
Launched in August last year, Helidrive has made a significant impact, evacuating 450 patients, including 150 neonates and 60 from the Matabeleland region.
With bases in Harare and Bulawayo, and more planned for Victoria Falls, Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba, and Buffalo Range, this public air rescue service is set to cover the entire country.
Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of the doctors behind the service, explained during an interview at the Ministry of Health and Child Care stand at the just-ended 65th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair that Helidrive was born out of a need to address Zimbabwe’s medical transportation challenges.
“Next month, we are hoping that our Victoria Falls branch will start functioning,” Dr Gumbo said.
“We have identified bases throughout the country which are future operational bases, Victoria Falls, Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range.
“These bases are determined by the range which our helicopters cover, that is 180km one way.
“Actually, the whole of Africa, this is the first national air service which is not privatised, we are the first country to have such a service in Africa, thanks to the visionary leadership of the Second Republic as led by President Mnangagwa.”
What sets Helidrive apart is its critical care service unit on board, equipped to handle even the most complex medical cases.
Russian doctor Dr Dmitry Senuita praised the Zimbabwean medical personnel he is working with, saying, “The experience has been great so far, we have a lovely team of medical personnel we are working with, yes medical systems between the two countries are different but it is not something to worry about, we are copying well.
“At the moment, we have six doctors in Bulawayo and the same number in Harare, as well as nurses.”
This initiative is part of the Second Republic’s efforts to modernise Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector.
With a focus on local capacity building, Helidrive has trained 40 local pilots, 50 doctors, 100 nurses, 100 dispatchers, and 10 engineers.
As Vice President Constantino Chiwenga visited the Ministry of Health and Child Care stand during ZITF, he was impressed by Helidrive’s operations.
The partnership between Zimbabwe and Russia was sparked by President Mnangagwa’s visit to Russia in June last year.
Russian Helidrive Air Ambulance responded swiftly, bringing in expertise to set up a highly efficient emergency medical service.
With its fleet of over 100 medical helicopters, Helidrive is revolutionising emergency medical response in Zimbabwe.
As the country looks to create a modern, prosperous, and highly industrialized nation by 2030, initiatives like Helidrive are paving the way.
