Namibia has officially inaugurated its first-ever state-owned air ambulance service, aimed at improving access to emergency medical care and reducing the time critically ill patients spend travelling to referral hospitals.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund have agreed to strengthen emergency medical responses for road crash victims.

Otjozondjupa Regional Council has officially handed over a fully equipped ambulance to Kalkfeld Clinic, which has been operating without one for years.

The ambulance is a donation from NamPort's social investment fund, which also purchased another one earmarked for Gam Clinic in Tsumkwe Constituency.