KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has described the launch of the Night Vision Aero-Medical System as the radical transformation of the emergency health services in the country. He was reacting to the overwhelming response from the public following the launch in Richards Bay Airport on the 4th of September 2014. The launch was attended by MEC for Health Dr Sbongiseni Dhlomo. The Night Vision Googles (NVG) is a specially designed pair of goggles that is generally used in a military environment and allows the user better visibility in night conditions. The aircraft interiors have been modified and training has commenced with all the AMS pilots being fully trained. Its availability will greatly improve access and the delivery of advanced medical and trauma care to our patients and victims of motor vehicle collisions and those trapped in mountains. It has also resulted in the increase of the aero-medical hours of operations. Sincere thanks and appreciation to the KwaZulu-Natal Department and the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund for investing in the NVG System to ensure that access and delivery of advanced medical care reaches those in far flung areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
The NVG system will assist in bringing essential health services to all our people, especially those in far flung areas. The KZN government want to ensure that by 2030 the Province of KwaZulu-Natal becomes a prosperous Province, with healthy, skilled and secure people, acting as a gateway to Africa and the world. The following hospitals already accessible to receive and dispatch night flights: Eshowe, KwaMagwaza (Melmoth), Ulundi Airfield (Nkonjeni), Ceza, Vryheid, Itshelejuba (Pongola), St Benedictine (Nongoma), Hlabisa, Mkuze Airfield (Bethesda), Mosvold, Manguzi, Mseleni, Dukuduku (St Lucia), Ngwelezane.
