Namibia gets first state-owned air ambulances

Namibia has launched its first state-owned air ambulance service to transport critically ill and injured patients from remote areas to referral hospitals.

Vice president Lucia Witbooi officially launched the service in Windhoek on Wednesday, saying it would address the challenges posed by long distances between remote communities and hospitals.

“No Namibian should lose their life simply because they live far from a hospital,” Witbooi said.

She said the service would connect patients in remote areas to advanced medical care at intermediate and national referral hospitals, particularly in cases where time is critical.

“For many patients, a gruelling, hours-long journey by road will now be reduced to a matter of minutes or a few short hours by air, ensuring they reach the specialised care they need on time,” she said.

The service includes a Learjet air ambulance equipped with advanced medical equipment to function as an intensive care unit in the air.

It will also have access to helicopter evacuation services through collaboration with the Namibian Police Force and the Namibian Defence Force to respond to emergencies in different parts of the country.

The Government Air Transport Services, in collaboration with the ministries of works and transport, and health and social services, will provide air emergency units and dedicated pilots.

Specialised medical personnel will provide critical care during patient transfers, while dedicated emergency service centres at national referral hospitals will facilitate patient handovers and continuity of care.

Witbooi said the service would complement the country’s existing ground ambulance fleet and strengthen referral pathways between district, intermediate and national referral hospitals.

She commended the Ministry of Health and Social Services for leading the initiative, while acknowledging the contributions of other institutions, including the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

However, she warned that the successful implementation of the service would depend on sustained funding, regular aircraft maintenance, specialised training and strict aviation safety standards.

She called on the health ministry and other stakeholders to establish systems to monitor the service’s performance and ensure accountability.

“The real work, and the tangible impact we seek to achieve, lies in ensuring that this service operates efficiently, safely and sustainably for decades to come,” Witbooi said.