Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
HELIDRIVE National Air Rescue Services is setting up a national emergency call centre as part of its broader vision to establish a robust, countrywide emergency medical response network through strategically placed helicopter bases.
Helicopters are stationed in Harare and Bulawayo, with the capacity to respond to emergencies within a 180km radius of each location.
However, plans are already underway to extend coverage by permanently stationing helicopters in key regions, beginning with Victoria Falls.
In an interview last week, Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of six doctors attached to the service, said the call centre will act as the central dispatch for emergency alerts, determining whether a situation requires air or ground ambulance response.
“We are working on a where distress calls will be received. Once a call comes in, the necessary questions will be asked to assess whether the patient requires a ground ambulance or qualifies for air evacuation,” said Dr Gumbo.
She revealed that Helidrive’s Victoria Falls base will become operational in the coming month, marking the first step in a phased rollout of helicopter bases across the country. Future stations have been earmarked in Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range, with the location of each base determined by helicopter range and proximity to refuelling facilities.
“Next month, we hope that our Victoria Falls branch will become operational. We have identified future operational bases across the country in Victoria Falls, Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range,” said Dr Gumbo.
“These bases are strategically selected based on the 180km operational range of our helicopters. By the end of the year, we hope to have the entire country covered.”
Dr Gumbo also noted that even in areas without permanent bases, emergency evacuations can still be carried out using established flight corridors.
Helidrive Zimbabwe was established through a bilateral partnership between Zimbabwe and Russia, initiated after President Mnangagwa’s visit to Russia in 2023. During the visit, the President sought investment and expertise to develop a national air ambulance system.
His Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin responded positively, paving the way for the partnership with Russian-based Helidrive Air Ambulance Services.
The Russian parent organisation, which has saved countless lives across Russia over the past nine years, operates a fleet of over 100 medical helicopters. Its expansion into Zimbabwe brings world-class experience and advanced air medical technology.
Unlike many private operators elsewhere on the continent, Helidrive Zimbabwe is the first national, publicly accessible air rescue service in Africa.
“In fact, across the whole of Africa, this is the first national air service that is not privatised. We are the first country to have such a service, thanks to the visionary leadership of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa,” said Dr Gumbo.
The service is aligned with Government efforts to modernise the health sector in line with Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.
In addition to importing cutting-edge technology, the initiative has prioritised local capacity building. To date, 40 pilots, 50 doctors, 100 nurses, 100 dispatchers and 10 engineers have been trained and deployed to support the operation.
Air ambulances play a critical role in transporting critically ill patients from remote or inaccessible areas to specialised medical centres. These helicopters are fully equipped with intensive care equipment, allowing emergency care to commence mid-air — effectively bridging the gap between the accident scene and hospital.
Bongani Ndlovu