Sidumisile Mabena
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE country’s leading air ambulance service, HELIDRIVE-ZIM, has conducted 258 aeromedical missions between November 2025 and now, significantly improving access to critical care across Zimbabwe.
The figures reflect growing demand for rapid emergency response services and increasing public and institutional trust in air-based medical interventions.
“Our mission has always been to ensure that every Zimbabwean, regardless of their location, can access life-saving care within the critical ‘Golden Hour’,” said Dr Freddy Mhondiwa, Helidrive Zimbabwe Chief Medical Doctor.
He said operations peaked in February 2026, with 68 missions completed in a single month — the highest recorded during the period under review.
“On February 10, crews handled seven flights within 24 hours, marking the busiest single day and testing operational capacity across flight, medical, and ground support teams,” said Dr Mhondiwa.
The service operates from two strategic bases to ensure nationwide coverage. The Harare base accounted for 146 missions, mainly handling complex inter-facility transfers and emergencies in the northern region. The Bulawayo base carried out 112 missions, providing essential coverage for southern Zimbabwe and bridging distances to specialist care.
“Each mission involved patients requiring urgent intervention, including trauma cases from remote areas, maternal emergencies, and critical cardiac transfers. The ability to provide intensive care in transit and drastically reduce travel time has had a measurable impact on patient outcomes,” said Dr Mhondiwa.
The consistent volume of missions underscores the indispensable role of a reliable air ambulance service in Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
Looking ahead, HELIDRIVE-ZIM plans to strengthen its operations through continued investment in advanced medical equipment and specialised training for its personnel, he said.
Online Reporter