• Aristomenis K Exadaktylos, Farhaad Haffejee, Darryl Wood, and Philip Erasmus.
• South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service, Cape Town, South Africa. aristomenis@exadaktylos.ch
• Aust J Rural Health. 2005 Apr 1; 13 (2): 106-10.

ContextThe South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service and its Flying Doctors Service provides health care to far flung and disadvantaged communities in South Africa.PurposeThe purpose of this article is to highlight the importance and effectiveness of the service in providing health care to a range of people who have poor or no access to certain health services in South Africa.MethodsData and information was collected from records and statistical data of our service. Data was evaluated and compiled into a report highlighting the achievements of this organisation from its infancy to the present day.FindingsThe Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Programme has made a difference in improving health care by providing specialist services, transport of patients and training of medical personnel in outlying areas of South Africa that have poor access to health care. Emergency Air Ambulance and Rescue Services have proven to be supportive in providing rapid advanced life support and rescue services to patients in emergency situations. Many lives have been saved through this service.ConclusionThe South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service plays a crucial role in delivering specialised health care to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

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