Transforming Communities from Within to impact Health Systems   

The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) received the World Federation of Public Health Associations 2012 Organisational Award. The award is bestowed in recognition of an organisation’s outstanding achievements in and contributions to the field of public health and is presented every three years.

AMREF Flying Doctors was thrilled to be awarded the ITIJ 2011 Air Ambulance Provider of the Year Award. The ITIJ (International Travel Insurance Journal) yearly awards are voted for by the readers of the Journal and other stakeholders within the international industry, representing the global travel/medical insurance industry, air ambulance providers, underwriters, assistance companies and cost containment entities.

Under Maisha, Citizens will have direct access to affordable and quality Emergency Air Ambulance Services.

Nairobi, kenya – January 23, 2012 – AMREF Flying Doctors, the leading award winning air ambulance service provider in East Africa, has today added new subscription schemes to its Air Ambulance service.

The new air ambulance evacuation schemes, under the name of Maisha, target individuals, families, small groups and corporates with affordable and quality medical air evacuation from anywhere in the Eastern Africa region, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

AMREF Flying Doctors CEO and Medical Director recently met with businessman Chris Kirubi and presented him with a Platinum subscription to Maisha.

The video is on the Capital TV website and can be accessed from here: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/tv/video/W33QuozcKeQ/industrialist-chris-kirubi-awarded-by-amref.html

AMREF Flying Doctors were pleased to welcome world renowned Aeromedical expert Dr Terry Martin to the team in February for a month as a Volunteer Physician. This month has provided the staff at AMREF Flying Doctors a unique and valuable experience with the opportunity to work alongside Dr Martin, learning skills and knowledge that come from his 25 years working as a Flight Physician.

On 2 March 2012, the aircraft hangar at AMREF Flying Doctors at Wilson Airport, Nairobi, was dedicated to Dr Tom Rees, one of AMREF’s Founders.
The plaque was unveiled by Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi, AMREF board Chairman, Dr. Joseph Pegues from AMREF USA’s Board and Dr. Teguest Guerma, Director General of AMREF.
The dedication of the hangar was decided by the AMREF Board in 2011, recognizing the extraordinary support Dr Rees has given AMREF Flying Doctors for the past 55 years.

Garissa Evacuation
1 July 2012
Simultaneous attacks on two churches in Kenya near the Somali border were reported on Sunday, 1 July 2012. Gunmen attacked and killed two police officers, seizing their firearms. They then attacked two churches that were full of worshippers. The injured were taken to the Garissa Provincial General Hospital. More than 75 people were injured and 17 others died at the scene, on the way to hospital or while undergoing treatment.

Bujumbura, Burundi to Nairobi Hospital, Kenya

20 April 2012

Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake. It is the second largest fresh water lake by volume, the second deepest lake and the longest lake in the world. It is divided among Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. It is home to various species of fish as well as crocodiles and hippopotami.

At midday on 20 April 2012 our Control Centre received a call from a medical clinic in Burundi who had received a woman in her 60's. At around 10:00am that morning the she was attacked from behind by a hippo whilst scuba diving for a particular species of fish which her and her husband export. What saved her from being snapped in two was the oxygen cylinder that she had strapped to her back.

1957 - 2012
6 August 2012

In 1957, three surgeons shared their dream of delivering healthcare throughout East Africa to those remote communities that are disadvantaged. At that time, there was one doctor to every 30,000 people in East Africa.