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Helidrive launches National Emergency Call Centre
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HELIDRIVE National Air Rescue Services is setting up a national emergency call centre as part of its ambitious drive to streamline Zimbabwe's first publicly operated air ambulance system, with the ultimate goal of ensuring rapid medical response coverage across the country.
Currently operating from Harare and Bulawayo, Helidrive's helicopters offer a 180-kilometre operational radius from each base. However, plans are already underway to expand the footprint, with Victoria Falls set to become the next fully operational hub in the coming weeks.
In an interview last week, Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of the six medical doctors attached to the service, revealed that preparations for the national call centre were nearing completion.
"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 initiative stems from bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation, which led to the creation of Helidrive. The project was conceived following discussions between President Mnangagwa and Russian authorities on addressing Zimbabwe's long-standing gaps in medical air transportation.
Dr Gumbo confirmed that Victoria Falls will be operational by next month, adding that other future bases are earmarked for Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range.
"These bases are determined by the range which our helicopters cover — that is 180km, one way. We have identified critical points across the country to ensure nationwide access," she said.
Helidrive's model represents a historic first in Africa, as the continent's first non-privatised national air rescue service. Dr Gumbo lauded the initiative as a testament to President Mnangagwa's visionary leadership, which has prioritised transforming Zimbabwe's health delivery system.
She noted that the choice of base locations is also guided by the availability of refuelling infrastructure, but expressed confidence that by the end of the year, Helidrive will be able to respond to emergencies in any part of Zimbabwe.
In the meantime, alternative ground and air routes are being mapped to ensure coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
The air ambulance service is part of Zimbabwe's broader goal to modernise the healthcare sector in pursuit of becoming an upper middle-income economy within five years.
These air ambulances are equipped with advanced medical technologies and manned by highly trained personnel, offering intensive care-level services during flight. The system is particularly vital for critically ill or injured patients in remote or inaccessible areas, helping to bridge the geographical divide in emergency healthcare access.
Helidrive's efforts mark a significant step forward in Zimbabwe's healthcare modernisation agenda, setting the pace for regional innovation in emergency medical response.
Currently operating from Harare and Bulawayo, Helidrive's helicopters offer a 180-kilometre operational radius from each base. However, plans are already underway to expand the footprint, with Victoria Falls set to become the next fully operational hub in the coming weeks.
In an interview last week, Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of the six medical doctors attached to the service, revealed that preparations for the national call centre were nearing completion.
"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 initiative stems from bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation, which led to the creation of Helidrive. The project was conceived following discussions between President Mnangagwa and Russian authorities on addressing Zimbabwe's long-standing gaps in medical air transportation.
Dr Gumbo confirmed that Victoria Falls will be operational by next month, adding that other future bases are earmarked for Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range.
"These bases are determined by the range which our helicopters cover — that is 180km, one way. We have identified critical points across the country to ensure nationwide access," she said.
Helidrive's model represents a historic first in Africa, as the continent's first non-privatised national air rescue service. Dr Gumbo lauded the initiative as a testament to President Mnangagwa's visionary leadership, which has prioritised transforming Zimbabwe's health delivery system.
She noted that the choice of base locations is also guided by the availability of refuelling infrastructure, but expressed confidence that by the end of the year, Helidrive will be able to respond to emergencies in any part of Zimbabwe.
In the meantime, alternative ground and air routes are being mapped to ensure coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
The air ambulance service is part of Zimbabwe's broader goal to modernise the healthcare sector in pursuit of becoming an upper middle-income economy within five years.
These air ambulances are equipped with advanced medical technologies and manned by highly trained personnel, offering intensive care-level services during flight. The system is particularly vital for critically ill or injured patients in remote or inaccessible areas, helping to bridge the geographical divide in emergency healthcare access.
Helidrive's efforts mark a significant step forward in Zimbabwe's healthcare modernisation agenda, setting the pace for regional innovation in emergency medical response.
Source - herald
