THIS 'N THaT
BY CRaIg e TURNeR
African Emergencies
Visitors to Zimbabwe are often concerned as regards the standard of health care and
emergency services available to assist them in the event that they are taken seriously ill or are
injured while hunting or on holiday in the region.
Z
imbabwe, despite the recent difficulties it has experienced
is still fortunate to have one of the most efficient and
best-developed private emergency medical service (EMS)
systems on the continent. This availability of air and road evacuation
capabilities has for many years provided peace of mind to tourists
visiting Zimbabwe. However, even the best systems worldwide have
limitations and it is important to be aware of these when visiting or
travelling in the region.
Private EMS in Zimbabwe is provided primarily by two services,
Emergency Medical Rescue Ambulance Services (EMRAS) a part
of the Premier Service Medical Investments health care group and
Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS). Both services have been in
existence for several years and therefore have a wealth of knowledge
and experience in the area of aero-medical evacuation in Zimbabwe
and the sub-region. While both are headquarted in the capital city
of Harare, they maintain bases in all major centres throughout the
country, specifically Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Kwekwe, Masvingo
and in the case of MARS ,Victoria Falls.
Services provided are very similar in that both organisations
have ground ambulances available to respond within urban centres
and both conduct long range road ambulance transfers. Ambulances
are fully equipped with oxygen airway management equipment,
IV fluids, emergency drugs, full spinal immobilization equipment,
splints, electronic patient monitors, cardiac defibrillators, and where
required, transport ventilators thereb