
Namibia has taken a significant step in emergency healthcare with the launch of Medical Rescue Africa (MRA), a new air ambulance service under the umbrella of Westair Aviation, designed to reach remote and hard-to-access areas.
The launch event on Tuesday in Windhoek highlighted the critical importance of rapid medical response in emergencies. Westair Aviation CEO Henri van Schalkwyk emphasized that “a service like this is never needed until it is needed,” stressing the importance of safety, reliability, and readiness.
Equipped with the state-of-the-art King Air 350, MRA promises the highest standards in medical care and aviation safety. “With the support of our clients and partners, we are ensuring Namibia remains a leader in aeromedical services across Africa,” Schalkwyk said.
MRA’s operations combine advanced medical equipment with a highly trained team, including paramedics, emergency physicians, and aviation specialists, offering trusted critical care transport throughout Namibia and beyond.
“Each MRA aircraft, including the King Air, features an approved Med-Pac system and is operated by Westair’s experienced pilots in conjunction with MRA’s specialised medical crew,” Schalkwyk explained.

All flight operations adhere to international standards, including the Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS), Oil and Gas Producer Standards (IOGP), and United Nations Aviation Standards (UNAVS), ensuring both safety and reliability in every mission.