Ministry of Health P.S. Administration, Prof. Christopher Simoonga visited ZFDS exhibition stand during the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) which ended on 2nd July 2024. The show was held under the theme "Unlocking Economic Potential Through Collaboration and Partnerships," . One of the features exibited was innovations hub show casing services ZFDS is rolling out namely Aero ambulance and a virtual health doctor application in a bid to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.

ZFDS was exhibiting at the 2024 Africa Public Service Day Commemoration held in Ndola whose theme was ‘Empowering a Citizen-Centric Public Service for an inclusive and thriving 21st century Africa: A Journey of lifelong learning and technological transformation’.   As ZFDS we did showcase our rollout of two applications the Aero ambulance and the virtual doctor application. All these technological enhancements are in a bid to ensure effective and effective health service delivery for all.   Well done team ZFDS

Settlers in Shibuyunji District, Central Province have turned up in numbers to access eye care services during the ongoing medical outreach program being implemented by the Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS).   The Service has sent the medical team in the district to offer routine medical services in seven rural health centres located in remote, rural and hard-to-reach areas.   From the total population that came to five rural health facilities namely Nampundwe, Sichoba, Kapyanga, Mwembezhi, Chobota and Shabasonje a total of 531 accessed eye care services.

A settler in Walawala village, sesheke District, Western Province has restored her eyesight after surgery.   The patient is among 74 patients who presented to the hospital with cataracts and booked for surgeries.   A cataract is often a clouding in the eye’s lens that will disable or change the passage of light into the eye.   According to the narration by the client, she lost her vision and went blind during Dr.Kenneth Kaunda's regime. She turned up at the Walawala Rural Health Centre (RHC) when the ZFDS medical team on an outreach programme in the district camped at the facility.   After undergoing a successful operation at Yeta General Hospital (YGH), she expressed happiness that she was able to see again. "I now can see again! I can see people around me she exclaimed.   Another patient whose vision has been repaired, a female aged 20 from Senanga District, in the same Province, explained that she had lost sight in her left eye during her childhood due to injury and remained with one.   Two years later, the remaining eye with time lost vision resulting in her abandoning her small business that she was running as she could not see.   "I lost hope of seeing again and I was worried that I was going to die blind.   I am so very happy, that the only eye I am reminded of can see. My life goes back to normal living," she said.   Cataract surgeon Dr Oliver Chenga disclosed that since Sunday,26th May 2024 a total of 144 patients have been attended to and vision repaired.   Dr Chenga explained that the majority of the patients presented at the hospital with cataracts are above the age of 50.   He attributed the blinding condition to be common among such age groups due to age.

What started like blurry visions for many has led to complete blindness in some women of Mushukula Village of Mwandi District in Western Province.   This was brought to light by the Zambia Flying Doctor Service team who have been camped in Mwandi District since Sunday the 26th of May 2024.   ZFDS Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon Mr Ndalela Ndalela who examined some patients reported that this vision impairment was due to Trachoma Trichiasis, a disease of the eyes.   This happens when the eyes get inflamed after repeated trachoma infections. Scar tissue builds up on the inside of the eyelid, making the eyelid tight and pulling the eyelashes inwards. When the eyelashes rub the cornea, it causes immense pain and can lead to blindness.   Among the victims are Mrs Kekala, a 66-year-old woman and her niece aged 56. After being interviewed, Mrs Kekala said it all started in 2005 when she started getting blurry visions. Three years later after seeking traditional medicines she completely lost sight and has since been taken care of and helped by her niece.   Sadly, her niece developed the same problem a few years later when she started feeling some discomfort in her eyes. The discomfort later led to blurry vision and sores that felt like a burning sensation and continued for some time.   In a quest to find a solution, she tried traditional herbal medicines that only worked for a short period but eventually went to a clinic where she claimed she was operated on.   A few months after the operation, she started experiencing headaches and sleepless nights before she eventually lost sight of one eye completely.   Another 66-year-old woman from the same village expressed her fear of complete blindness as she's already lost sight in her left eye.   Mrs. Sibitwani complained of eyelashes hurting her eyes since 2000 after which she sought help from the local clinic where she was given ointments to use but no permanent solution.   ZFDS Ophthalmologist Mr.Ndalela Ndalela reported that Trachoma Trichiasis is prevalent in this village as he encountered a number of these cases due to poor health knowledge and no eye services.   He also explained that one of the causes of Trachoma Trichiasis is poor hygiene and sanitation, affecting women more than men. He has since educated the general public to ensure they do regular eye checkups for early detection of any eye diseases including Glaucoma. The team will administer some antibiotics which should be traceable in three months for operations in liaison with the District Health Office.

As ZFDS is on every last Friday of the month instead of the Friday weekly sports activities, the employees participate in the station upkeep day. This day entails employees rotating and cleaning the premises and surroundings during the afternoon. Today the Medical team was cleaning the Headquarters whilst the Headquarters team which comprises various departments ranging from Aviation, Legal Services & Corporate Affairs, Finance, Audit, and Procurement was divided and cleaning the three (3) facilities AeroMED James Lawless in Northrise, AeroMED Kenneth Kaunda in Itawa and our AeroMED diagnostic hub at 33Oval in Northrise off Fitente road.   Working together for a common goal is what we do at ZFDS, Cleanliness is next to Godliness👏🏽   Do Visit any of our facilities which are NHIMA accredited and operate 24/7 for efficient and effective health service delivery

Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has sent out eight (8) teams for the monthly routine and specialized outreaches for May. Of the Eight(8) Teams sent out four(4) are Routine and the other Four (4) are specialized, this increase in the specialized outreaches from three (3) specialised done monthly to Four (4) is to ensure cases relating to various surgeries are promptly handled by the ZFDS and the various districts.   The outreaches are being implemented from 26th May 2024 to 1st June 2024. This is in an effort to further increase utilization of healthcare services among the inhabitants in rural areas.   The specialists medical services are being offered in the following Districts:  

1. Western Province

  * Sesheke District - Cataract surgeries   * Mwandi District - Obstetrics and Gynaecology  

2. Southern Province

* Kalomo District - Obstetrics and Gynaecology  

3. Central Province

*Chitambo District - General Surgery   The Eight (8) medical teams have been sent to Southern, Western and Central Provinces respectively to undertake the monthly routine and specialized medical outreaches in seven (7) days.   The teams have since set camp and are expected to start offering the free medical services namely:  

1. Routine General screening & Diagnosis,
2. Dental & Eye Services,
3. Laboratory Services,
4. Male circumcision,
5. Various Surgeries,
6. Dispensation of drugs and reading glasses.

  The Service intends to visit about Fifty-Six (56) rural health posts and attend to 15,000 patients, Some of the sites to be visited during this set of outreaches include:   Western Province ‼️Sesheke District  

1. Luampungu RHP,
2. Lumbe RHP,
3. Walawala RHP,
4. Njoko RHP,
5. Mazaba RHP,
6. Ngweze RHC,
7. Imusho RHP

  ‼️Sikongo District  

1. Luoke RHC,
2. Kaluwe RHC,
3. Nyengo RHC,
4. Sikongo Mini-Hospital,
5. Lueti RHP,
6. Sikushi HP,
7. Tutwa

  Southern Province ‼️Kalomo District  

1. Bbilili Rural Health Center,
2. Habulile Rural Health Centre,
3. Kanchele Rural Health Centre,
4. Nakalombwe Health Post,
5. Naluja Rural Health Centre,
6. Nkandanzovu Rural Health Centre,
7. Siachitema Rural Health Centre

  Central Province  

1. Chitambo District,
2. Reuben Health Post,
3. Gibson Health Centre,
4. Mpelembe Health Centre,
5. Chipundu Health Centre,
6. Mukando Health Post,
7. Nakatambo Health Post,
8. Katonga Health Post

  ZFDS continues to purse the Agenda of the Government of the Republic of Zambia in achieving health care services for all.

ZFDS Board, Management and Staff wish you a Happy and Blessed Birthday. We are always Inspired by your Leadership and are encouraged to continue doing our very best. Thank you for your guidance and support. Enjoy your day

Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has incorporated dental care services into the routine and specialised medical outreaches being implemented monthly in remote, rural and hard-to-reach areas every month.   This is because dental care is a luxury that is out of reach for the majority of the inhabitants in rural areas and usually travel long distances to access the most basic dental care, which is a barrier to timely treatment.   For April, the medical personnel sent to Kanchibiya District, in Muchinga Province provided dental services to over 111 settlers.   The prevalent oral disease observed during the outreach is dental carries and villagers have opted to use traditional medicines administered using tattoos (inembo) to ease the toothache.   Dental therapist Morris Chansa narrated that this is a result of a lack of access to dental services as it is costly for settlers to travel 200 kilometers (km) to access the service at the nearest hospital.   "From the four (4) serviced Rural health centres in the district namely Mbati, Kabinga, Mapoma and Kopa respectively majority of settlers presented dental carries.   Tooth extractions were performed on over 100 people but the majority of them had tattoos on the side of their faces.   From the explanation of the patients found with tattoos, traditional medicines were used to ease the pain.   In an interview, the patients disclosed that the treatment to relieve pain was temporary for a few months,". Consequences of untreated dental caries:  

1. Pain and Infection

Untreated dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, can cause significant pain and discomfort. In severe cases, these conditions can lead to tooth loss, abscesses, and life-threatening infections.  

2. Malnutrition

  Poor dental health can make it difficult for individuals to eat, leading to malnutrition and other related health problems. For children, malnutrition can have long-lasting effects on growth and development.   3.Economic Impact   The consequences of inadequate dental care also extend beyond individual health, affecting the broader economy. Lost productivity due to oral health issues can hinder economic development.   As ZFDS, we always ensure that free dental health care is provided to all.

Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) on the 29th of April,2024 evacuated a 35-year-old Road Traffic Accident Victim (RTA) from Mansa, Luapula Province to Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital (UTH) adult hospital.   The patient was admitted at KGH on 26th April 2024 with a history of being involved in an RTA on Tuta Road on his way to Samfya District.   According to the CT scan, examination revealed that the patient had anterior displacement with posterior rib fracture.   It was noted that the patient had progress paralysis with difficulty in breathing and needed further Orthopaedic spine management at UTH.   The admission hospital obtained approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH) to use ZFDS to evacuate the patient to the referral hospital to enable the patient to urgently access the specialised services.   MOH gave a go-ahead and the patient was evacuated. The patient remains admitted at the country's highest facility.