THE Ministry of Health is set to introduce a new tri-wheel ambulance service, a move aimed at enhancing healthcare access and reducing preventable deaths in rural communities across the country.
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This initiative, which will utilise a digital application for dispatch, seeks to create a faster and more reliable patient referral system, particularly in underserved areas.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi announced the proposal, highlighting its potential to bridge the gap in emergency medical transportation.
Zambia Daily Mail reported that the PS stated that the plan is to equip each district and community health zone with these specialised tri-wheel emergency vehicles.
The service, Dr Lishimpi explained, would operate similarly to popular ride-hailing applications.
Users would be able to request urgent medical transport to the nearest health facility through a dedicated mobile app.
“This is something attainable. We have seen it done successfully with platforms like Yango. Our vision is to ensure that when someone falls sick at home, especially in remote areas, they can quickly access transport to the nearest health facility by using this app,” Dr Lishimpi said.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to leverage technology in improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their location, have timely access to essential medical services.
The Ministry of Health believes that this innovative approach will significantly impact the country’s health outcomes by addressing the critical challenge of patient transport in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Kalemba August 11, 2025
