# Namibia launches air ambulance to save lives

> Namibia's first air ambulance service cuts travel time for emergencies, preventing deaths in remote areas.
- Title: Namibia launches air ambulance to save lives · Allafrica
- Summary: Namibia's first air ambulance service cuts travel time for emergencies, preventing deaths in remote areas.
- Keywords: namibia, air ambulance, health minister, emergency care, windhoek, katima mulilo, otjiwarongo road, learjet, government health service, Allafrica
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202611060224.html
- Published: 2026-11-06T11:27:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: namibia, air ambulance, health minister, emergency care, windhoek, katima mulilo, otjiwarongo road, learjet, government health service, news, world, politics
## Tragedy in Katima Mulilo
A 12-year-old boy died while waiting for transfer from Katima Mulilo to Windhoek.

> Unfortunately, in the early hours of the next morning, I got a call that this 12-year-old boy had passed away
## Health minister's response
Health minister Esperance Luvindao recalled the boy's death and another road accident in April 2026.

> Unfortunately, this was not possible and lives were lost
## New air ambulance service
Namibia launched its first state-owned air ambulance to reduce emergency travel time.

> No Namibian should lose their life simply because they live far from a hospital
## Service details
The service uses a Learjet with medical equipment and works with police and defense forces.

> The air ambulance is expected to reduce some journeys that take hours by road to minutes or a few short hours by air
## Patient prioritization
The service prioritizes trauma, neurological, cardiac and obstetric emergencies.

> The service will prioritise patients who require urgent specialist treatment
## Government commitment
The government plans four new hospitals but focuses on immediate emergency care.

> While we build those hospitals, Namibians want service. While we build those hospitals, there is another 12-year-old boy that might have severe head injuries and need urgent transportation
## Next steps
The service will cut travel time for emergencies, saving lives in remote areas.

> The service is expected to reduce the time critically ill and injured patients spend travelling to specialised hospitals
## Key takeaway

Namibia launched its first state-owned air ambulance to reduce death risks from long road journeys in remote areas.