Published: 24 June 2025

Zimbabwe's much-touted free air ambulance service is currently being operated and maintained by Russian pilots and technicians, due to a shortage of local expertise, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora revealed in Parliament.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly last week, Minister Mombeshora disclosed that while the government owns the helicopters, Zimbabwe does not yet have the trained personnel to fly or maintain them. The helicopters, he said, require high-level technical checks certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) before and after each flight.

"Operating these aircraft requires highly technical expertise, including checks by IATA-certified engineering technicians," Mombeshora explained.

The air ambulance fleet forms part of a controversial US$320 million helicopter acquisition deal signed with Russia in May 2023, under which 32 helicopters were procured at US$10 million each. Of these, 12 were designated for emergency medical services, while the remainder were allocated to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

The acquisition drew criticism for lacking a clear operational plan, with the air ambulance service only commencing in July 2024, more than a year after the helicopters were delivered.

Currently, only three helicopters are operational—two stationed in Harare and one in Bulawayo—while the remaining nine air ambulances remain grounded, awaiting deployment.

Despite the slow rollout, Minister Mombeshora reported that the service has already made a significant impact, having airlifted 411 critically ill patients to hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo.

"To date, 345 patients have been flown to the Harare base at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, while 66 patients were evacuated to the Bulawayo base at the United Bulawayo Hospitals," he said. "These cases included maternity complications, premature births, and other critical emergencies. Many lives have been saved."

He told MPs that each helicopter's operation costs an estimated US$36,000 per month.

Looking ahead, the government plans to expand the air ambulance service to other regions, with Victoria Falls, Mutare, and Masvingo identified as priority locations for future helicopter bases.

Mombeshora said the government had contracted Game Drive, a technical aviation company, to supply qualified Russian pilots and technicians. The company has also been tasked with training Zimbabwean pilots and engineers, with the goal of achieving full localisation of operations in the future.

The minister's admission has raised concerns about dependency on foreign expertise, especially given the high costs involved and the strategic nature of emergency healthcare. Opposition legislators have called for greater transparency in the helicopter deal and faster investment in local aviation training.
- Zimlive

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