Head Office | The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service

Management and Administration

The general manager reports to the executive committee and is responsible for day-today management. Medical and aviation decisions are taken in consultation with the chairperson of the medical committee and the pilots panel respectively. Day-today financial administration is handled by the management staff in accordance with the budget approved by the trustees.

All meetings are minuted and conform strictly to acceptable standards of corporate governance practice.

Philip Erasmus

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for all services we render.

Philip Erasmus

Philip Erasmus

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for all services we render.

Chief Executive Officer

Farhaad Haffejee

Corporate Development Manager

My role as Corporate Development Manager acts an an interface between government and other partners of the AMS with regards to the development of services of the AMS and all its activities. Aside from building new relationships, this department is also tasked with maintaining existing relationships. This happens both at national as well as an International Level with organisations such as ADAC, Rega, etc. As such, advocacy, PR and strategic management are conerstones of this department. The service development manager is also tasked with overseeing the Public Relations and Fundrasing Departments as well as looking aster the ever changing IT and communication needs of the developing organisation that is the AMS. In addition, this office also guides research involving the AMS.

Farhaad Haffejee

Farhaad Haffejee

Corporate Development Manager

My role as Corporate Development Manager acts an an interface between government and other partners of the AMS with regards to the development of services of the AMS and all its activities. Aside from building new relationships, this department is also tasked with maintaining existing relationships. This happens both at national as well as an International Level with organisations such as ADAC, Rega, etc. As such, advocacy, PR and strategic management are conerstones of this department. The service development manager is also tasked with overseeing the Public Relations and Fundrasing Departments as well as looking aster the ever changing IT and communication needs of the developing organisation that is the AMS. In addition, this office also guides research involving the AMS.

Corporate Development Manager

Catherine Brown

Human Resources Manager

The Human Resource Department develops initiaves and provides strategic support to AMS management with regard to human resource policy. It supports line management in the departments, performs centralised service tasks and ensures AMS wide application of operational human resource activities. Main areas of responsibility include manpower planning, orgaisation development, employment and association conditions, recruitment, job classification and salary adminsitration, performance appraisal, advancement, internal mobility, training and development, working conditions, settlement of disputes and relations with the personnel.

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

Human Resources Manager

The Human Resource Department develops initiaves and provides strategic support to AMS management with regard to human resource policy. It supports line management in the departments, performs centralised service tasks and ensures AMS wide application of operational human resource activities. Main areas of responsibility include manpower planning, orgaisation development, employment and association conditions, recruitment, job classification and salary adminsitration, performance appraisal, advancement, internal mobility, training and development, working conditions, settlement of disputes and relations with the personnel.

Human Resources Manager

Gary McCormick

Quality & Technical Manager

As the Quality Manager, I am responsible for the effective development, implementation and review of a quality management system, through the provision of technical support, protocols, procedures, training and regular audits.

Gary McCormick

Gary McCormick

Quality & Technical Manager

As the Quality Manager, I am responsible for the effective development, implementation and review of a quality management system, through the provision of technical support, protocols, procedures, training and regular audits.

Quality & Technical Manager

JR Redelinghuys

Flight Operations Manager

Responsible for the co-ordination and control of the flight training of the AMS, Responsible for maintaining flying standards in consultation with the Chief Pilot and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Responsible for ensuring standardization of instructional and flight techniques among flight training personnel, Conduct and control proficiency checking requirements on behalf of AMS with regard to all initial and periodic flight training including subsequent route competency and instrument rating checks, Ensure that training files & complete documentation records are maintained for each individual flight crew member, Ensure that all South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations requirements in respect of renewing or upgrading of pilot licenses have been timeously complied with, Liaise with other training organisations and to submit recommendations which may serve to enhance AMS training capability and or procedures.

JR Redelinghuys

JR Redelinghuys

Flight Operations Manager

Responsible for the co-ordination and control of the flight training of the AMS, Responsible for maintaining flying standards in consultation with the Chief Pilot and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Responsible for ensuring standardization of instructional and flight techniques among flight training personnel, Conduct and control proficiency checking requirements on behalf of AMS with regard to all initial and periodic flight training including subsequent route competency and instrument rating checks, Ensure that training files & complete documentation records are maintained for each individual flight crew member, Ensure that all South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations requirements in respect of renewing or upgrading of pilot licenses have been timeously complied with, Liaise with other training organisations and to submit recommendations which may serve to enhance AMS training capability and or procedures.

Flight Operations Manager

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Receptionist

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Receptionist

Receptionist

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Letitia Lewis

HR Administrator

Letitia Lewis

Letitia Lewis

HR Administrator

HR Administrator

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Ashwin Krishna

National Operations Manager

Ashwin Krishna

Ashwin Krishna

National Operations Manager

National Operations Manager

Marc Lawson

AMO Manager

Marc Lawson

Marc Lawson

AMO Manager

AMO Manager

Simthembile Gadezweni

IT Technician

Simthembile Gadezweni

Simthembile Gadezweni

IT Technician

IT Technician

Agosthino Goliath

Financial Manager

Agosthino Goliath

Agosthino Goliath

Financial Manager

Financial Manager

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Training & Development

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Training & Development

Training & Development

Rushana Slarmie

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

Rushana Slarmie

Rushana Slarmie

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

Francois Du Toit

Safety Manager

Francois Du Toit

Francois Du Toit

Safety Manager

Safety Manager

Lunga Sityebi

Storeman

Lunga Sityebi

Lunga Sityebi

Storeman

Storeman

Merwyn October

AMO Apprentice

Merwyn October

Merwyn October

AMO Apprentice

AMO Apprentice

Siyabonga Ngqumba

General Assistant - AMO

Siyabonga Ngqumba

Siyabonga Ngqumba

General Assistant - AMO

General Assistant - AMO

Martell Killian

Technical Controller

Martell Killian

Martell Killian

Technical Controller

Technical Controller

Ismail Kabley

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Ismail Kabley

Ismail Kabley

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Jason Cahill

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Jason Cahill

Jason Cahill

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

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Latest News

Busy day for KZN Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

It's been a busy day and night for the KwaZulu-Natal helicopter emergency medical service. Mercy Wing 5 undertook three missions yesterday; two MVA's the first between Verulam & Phoenix, the second MVA was on the South Coast, the patient was airlifted to Ethekwini Hospital & Heart Centre. The crew was busy until the early hours of this morning with the third call, airlifting a patient from Hlabisa Provincial Hospital to St. Augustine's Hospital. Unfortunately due to the service being so busy a fourth mission could not be serviced. The Night Vision Systems introduced into the helicopter operation allows the AMS to ensure that the community has access to the helicopter 24 hours a day. AMS committed to building and developing the South African health system! Images courtesy: Captains Kim Watchurst & Rob Fenega

Busy day for KZN Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

Busy day for KZN Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

It's been a busy day and night for the KwaZulu-Natal helicopter emergency medical service. Mercy Wing 5 undertook three missions yesterday; two MVA's the first between Verulam & Phoenix, the second MVA was on the South Coast, the patient was airlifted to Ethekwini Hospital & Heart Centre. The crew was busy until the early hours of this morning with the third call, airlifting a patient from Hlabisa Provincial Hospital to St. Augustine's Hospital. Unfortunately due to the service being so busy a fourth mission could not be serviced. The Night Vision Systems introduced into the helicopter operation allows the AMS to ensure that the community has access to the helicopter 24 hours a day. AMS committed to building and developing the South African health system! Images courtesy: Captains Kim Watchurst & Rob Fenega

Mercy Wing 5 dispatched to the South Coast

Air Mercy Service Mercy Wing 5 dispatched to the South Coast to airlift a stroke victim to Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital. Doctor and Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) crew on-board. Time is of the essence. AMS Changing lives, saving lives!

Mercy Wing 5 dispatched to the South Coast

Mercy Wing 5 dispatched to the South Coast

Air Mercy Service Mercy Wing 5 dispatched to the South Coast to airlift a stroke victim to Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital. Doctor and Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) crew on-board. Time is of the essence. AMS Changing lives, saving lives!

Helicopter Emergeny Service (HEMS) available in KwaZulu-Natal

Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) now available in KwaZulu-Natal.

Contact 0861 267 267

e-mail: noc@ams.org.za

www.ams.org.za

Helicopter Emergeny Service (HEMS) available in KwaZulu-Natal

Helicopter Emergeny Service (HEMS) available in KwaZulu-Natal

Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) now available in KwaZulu-Natal.

Contact 0861 267 267

e-mail: noc@ams.org.za

www.ams.org.za

Cataract Surgery Programme kicks off in KwaZulu-Natal

AMS is proud to be associated with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and the Al-Imdaad Foundation. It has been more than two years in planning and preparation, but finally it has arrived. A three-month long cataract surgery programme brought about by a partnership between the Al-Imdaad Foundation, the KZN Department of Health, Air Mercy Services and volunteer doctors from Turkish NGO, Alliance of International Doctors (AID). The cataract programme is part of the Al-Imdaad Foundation's Vision-4-Life eye care initiative which also includes a free eye clinic, which has seen over 2000 patients in two years of operation.
On October 7th, 2019, the volunteer doctors were flown into the cataract programme briefing session at the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital by Air Mercy Personnel.
At the briefing, Al-Imdaad Foundation’s special projects coordinator, Mr Abed Karrim described the build up to the programme saying, “For two and a half years my team and I have been in and out of Pretoria to secure accreditation for the foreign doctors from the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). We’ve had a lot of cooperation from Health Departments at all levels and finally the team is able to be here today”.
Mr Karrim went on to say that their mission was simple: “We are here to join hands to enable Vision-4-Life, this is the vision of the leadership of the Al-Imdaad Foundation- our Chairman Maulana Chohan and our trustees. They have said to us, go out there, work hand in hand with the Department of Health, work hand in hand for the community.”
Areas have been identified where there are significant backlogs of patients awaiting cataract surgeries. Public eye facilities at hospitals in Northern Natal will be used for the programme and local support staff and nurses will assist the Turkish team.
Dr T Zulu, an official from uThukela District Health described how the volunteer doctors would be greatly appreciated as some districts had significant backlogs due to a lack of personnel. Dr Zulu also said, “completing back-logs is not just about numbers. It is a quality of life issue and a human rights issue. If there is a two thousand backlog you know how you would feel if there’s a cataract and there are no operations until you are blind. So, we are very happy that we finally have these volunteers to assist us.”
The doctors from Alliance of International Doctors (AID) have had extensive experience conducting cataract surgeries in sub- Saharan Africa. The lead ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Mehmet Aslan previously spent eight months in Niger where he completed thousands of surgeries. During his three-month stay in South Africa, Dr Mehmet aims to make a significant impact on the backlogs.
Dr Mehmet said, “We were all excited to join. This project is quite prestigious for us. So, if we can accomplish this, I can assure you that there are many more volunteer doctors willing to come whenever you want. We are ready to perform the surgeries.”
After thanking all role players, Al-Imdaad Foundation CEO Yacoob Vahed also spoke encouraging words saying:
“I would like to thank everyone who made this significant project possible. Even though there has been a lot of negativity around our beautiful country recently, I believe by working together we can make a real difference. For us this is only the beginning, we hope to be able to bring in more volunteer doctors- both locals and from abroad, to help take this project to other parts of the country.”
The Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Vision-4-Life cataract programme will be running in the last quarter of 2019 with surgeries planned in the uThukela, iLembe and uMzinyathi districts of KwaZulu-Natal. For more information about the programme or to support these initiatives please call 0861786243.

Cataract Surgery Programme kicks off in KwaZulu-Natal

Cataract Surgery Programme kicks off in KwaZulu-Natal

AMS is proud to be associated with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and the Al-Imdaad Foundation. It has been more than two years in planning and preparation, but finally it has arrived. A three-month long cataract surgery programme brought about by a partnership between the Al-Imdaad Foundation, the KZN Department of Health, Air Mercy Services and volunteer doctors from Turkish NGO, Alliance of International Doctors (AID). The cataract programme is part of the Al-Imdaad Foundation's Vision-4-Life eye care initiative which also includes a free eye clinic, which has seen over 2000 patients in two years of operation.
On October 7th, 2019, the volunteer doctors were flown into the cataract programme briefing session at the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital by Air Mercy Personnel.
At the briefing, Al-Imdaad Foundation’s special projects coordinator, Mr Abed Karrim described the build up to the programme saying, “For two and a half years my team and I have been in and out of Pretoria to secure accreditation for the foreign doctors from the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). We’ve had a lot of cooperation from Health Departments at all levels and finally the team is able to be here today”.
Mr Karrim went on to say that their mission was simple: “We are here to join hands to enable Vision-4-Life, this is the vision of the leadership of the Al-Imdaad Foundation- our Chairman Maulana Chohan and our trustees. They have said to us, go out there, work hand in hand with the Department of Health, work hand in hand for the community.”
Areas have been identified where there are significant backlogs of patients awaiting cataract surgeries. Public eye facilities at hospitals in Northern Natal will be used for the programme and local support staff and nurses will assist the Turkish team.
Dr T Zulu, an official from uThukela District Health described how the volunteer doctors would be greatly appreciated as some districts had significant backlogs due to a lack of personnel. Dr Zulu also said, “completing back-logs is not just about numbers. It is a quality of life issue and a human rights issue. If there is a two thousand backlog you know how you would feel if there’s a cataract and there are no operations until you are blind. So, we are very happy that we finally have these volunteers to assist us.”
The doctors from Alliance of International Doctors (AID) have had extensive experience conducting cataract surgeries in sub- Saharan Africa. The lead ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Mehmet Aslan previously spent eight months in Niger where he completed thousands of surgeries. During his three-month stay in South Africa, Dr Mehmet aims to make a significant impact on the backlogs.
Dr Mehmet said, “We were all excited to join. This project is quite prestigious for us. So, if we can accomplish this, I can assure you that there are many more volunteer doctors willing to come whenever you want. We are ready to perform the surgeries.”
After thanking all role players, Al-Imdaad Foundation CEO Yacoob Vahed also spoke encouraging words saying:
“I would like to thank everyone who made this significant project possible. Even though there has been a lot of negativity around our beautiful country recently, I believe by working together we can make a real difference. For us this is only the beginning, we hope to be able to bring in more volunteer doctors- both locals and from abroad, to help take this project to other parts of the country.”
The Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Vision-4-Life cataract programme will be running in the last quarter of 2019 with surgeries planned in the uThukela, iLembe and uMzinyathi districts of KwaZulu-Natal. For more information about the programme or to support these initiatives please call 0861786243.