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ambulance that will make it convenient for patients to be ferried to the next health care destination as fast as possible.
The Dassault Falcon 20F air ambulance is equipped with two life support units with twin oxygen cylinders and gas bars.
It is configured for two patients, four medical crew – well trained to handle intensive care and emergency cases and can also carry two additional passengers accompanying relatives to the next point of care.
AMI general manager (aviation services), Captain Hennie Joubert, said the air ambulance – with a range of 2 200 nautical miles – is accessible to everyone in the air emergency services market.
“The air ambulance market is rapidly gaining favour in the modern age of technology and transport.
Individuals who require urgent medical care, but are stranded far away from adequate medical facilities are assisted by flying medical crews, who often prove to be the difference between life and death in such emergencies,” Capt Joubert said.
“We do not just offer medical care in the hospital but also in aviation. The air ambulance is equipped similarly to a hospital ward and any procedure can be done on board,” he said.
Speaking after inspecting the jet, which has a maximum speed of 850km per hour at 42 000 feet, Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora said the air ambulance was a welcome development.
Deputy Minister Mombeshora said in this age where some surgical procedures require advanced technological equipment that are not locally available, the AMI jet is the answer to reach the next point of care.
“It is well equipped with advanced medical equipment such as the ECD monitors, defibrillators and other equipment and procedures can be done onboard.
“Zimbabweans also need to brace with modern technology in medical care and the air ambulance is a welcome development to our field,” he said.
AMI matron Mrs Liz Gordon said medical aid societies should buy in the idea to enable many people able to benefit from the air ambulance.
Mrs Gordon said 99 percent of patients whose conditions cannot be managed locally are referred to South Africa and it is important for the patients to be transported in the shortest possible time to reach to thereferred institution.
“There should be a buy in from medical aid societies because members on their own might fail to meet the costs and go for alternatives that might delay them in reaching to the referred health institution result-ing in more complications and sometimes death,” she said.