A South African resident airlifted home from Zimbabwe after lack of medical care

A South African resident was airlifted home after he was unable to access medical treatment in Zimbabwe due to logistical challenges.

He was received by Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego on Monday. The patient fell ill while on a work assignment in Bulawayo.

The South African resident was subsequently airlifted from Beitbridge in Musina, the border between Limpopo and Zimbabwe.

“Last night we had an unfortunate incident where one of our citizens was in Zimbabwe for an official visit,” explained Dr Ramathuba.

“I would describe him as an entrepreneur in his own right. He was doing an exhibition there. Unfortunately, he fell ill. There was an emergency, and he was rushed to the nearest hospital. We then received a communiqué from that side requesting that we intervene.

“That’s what we did as the Provincial government. Having to get him to be evacuated. Whatever proper language you could use, from a hospital in Bulawayo.”

Dr Ramathuba also commended the Department of Health for the great work in seeing that the patient received medical attention as quickly as possible.

“The logistics were very difficult because we needed to get an emergency services vehicle to transport him to Beitbridge. Then it was easier to airlift him back to Polokwane Provincial Hospital.

“What we also want to do is to appreciate the medical personnel. The physician who was attending to him was willing to assist.

“But like they had written in their letter of transfer, due to logistical challenges, which anyone can interpret, they are not able to assist him.”

“To the team here at the Department of Health, let’s continue to do the good work for every single human being. It’s all about service to humanity.”