South Africa's Air Mercy Service marks Diamond Jubilee

The Air Mercy Service (AMS) proudly celebrated 60 years of delivering critical aero-medical and rescue services across South Africa, marking a legacy of innovation, compassion, and life-saving impact.

Since its establishment in 1966, AMS has played a vital role in bridging the gap between remote communities and essential healthcare. Through a unique partnership model, the organisation has evolved into a highly specialised aero-medical and healthcare support service - providing emergency aero-medical transport, rescue operations, and a Flying Doctor outreach programme to underserved and rural communities.

From left to right: Aurelian Blanc, Gideon Sam (chairman, AMS board of trustees), Dr Mathe, Dr Peri, Dr Nkosana Dlamini-Zuma, Gugu Ntuli, Kangi Khoza, Farhaad Haffejee AMS CEO, Reggie Naidoo (advisor to the AMS board) and Geoffrey Qhena

The 60th anniversary celebration, hosted at AMS’s base in the General Aviation Area of Cape Town International Airport, brought together government leaders, international partners, donors, and stakeholders across the aviation and healthcare sectors to reflect on six decades of impact and chart a path forward.

Leadership reflections: A strategic moment

Delivering the Chairperson’s address, Mr. Gideon Sam emphasised that the milestone was more than a celebration - it was a defining moment for the organisation’s future.

“This is not merely a commemoration. It is a moment of strategic intent,” he said.

Sam highlighted AMS’s role as a critical extension of South Africa’s healthcare system: “From the outset, our work was never designed to stand alone; it was built to be embedded within the broader national health agenda - extending specialist care into the most underserved communities and acting as a force multiplier for a public health sector stretched to its limits.”

Looking ahead, he outlined three strategic priorities for the organisation: removing distance as a barrier to care, deepening integration with the health system, and driving innovation and sustainability.

“The next chapter of the Air Mercy Service will be defined by deeper, more intentional partnerships - because none of this will be achieved alone.”

CEO perspective: Excellence in action

In his address, Mr. Farhaad Haffejee reinforced the operational strength and human impact behind AMS’s work.

“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude - and that attitude has defined the Air Mercy Service for six decades,” he said.

Haffejee underscored that while the anniversary marks an important milestone, the true measure of AMS lies in its daily impact: “Every flight we undertake represents a critical moment - a patient in need, a community in distress, a healthcare system under pressure. Our role is to respond efficiently, safely, and with clinical excellence.”

He further highlighted AMS’s integrated model within the healthcare system: “We are not a standalone service. We are embedded within the system – supporting provincial departments, extending hospital capacity, and enabling access to care where it would otherwise not exist.”

Looking forward, Haffejee outlined a clear strategic focus on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and collaborative impact, emphasising the need for continued partnership and innovation.

A legacy of impact

Over the past six decades, AMS has:

• Conducted thousands of life-saving patient transfers
• Delivered critical care to remote and underserved communities
• Supported disaster response and humanitarian efforts
• Strengthened the public health system through outreach and training.

As AMS looks to the future, the organisation remains focused on expanding its reach, enhancing its capabilities, and strengthening partnerships to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all South Africans.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 2nd April 2026 | Issue #836