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Our vision is a world in which all people can live in the best possible health, with dignity and self-determination.

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Postal account: 60-1433-9
IBAN: CH09 0900 0000 6000 1433 9
BIC: POFICHBEXXX
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Rapid emergency transport for pregnant women

In northern Mozambique there are not many ambulances. Even women who are heavily pregnant usually have to travel to hospital on foot, which can be fatal for mother and child. SolidarMed has therefore launched a tuk ambulance system, which rapidly transports pregnant women to hospital and reinforces community structures.

Keyfacts of the project

Ambulance taxis

In the Chiúre District, SolidarMed has introduced a self-financing emergency transport system. Via the social enterprise Oka Ventures, SolidarMed rents tuk tuks – known as Oka taxis – to local drivers.  Most of the time, drivers use their vehicles as normal taxis to transport passengers or goods. If needed, however, they have to drive pregnant women from the villages to the nearest hospital or health centre free of charge. This saves women the arduous journey on foot and allows them to give birth safely in a healthcare facility. This tried and tested model makes it possible to offer free emergency transport while allowing drivers to earn their own income.
 

Drivers take  pregnant women to hospital four times a month on average. The rest of the time, the drivers earn a decent income from taxi journeys. Meanwhile, the enterprise Oka Ventures maintains the tuk tuks and trains drivers in managing their income and safe driving. Demand for the ambulance service is growing as community members and particularly pregnant women become aware of it..

Read more about Mozambique

We work side by side with strong partners.

Tuk tuk ambulances

Thanks to SolidarMed's tuk tuks, pregnant women reach a health centre in good time.

  • Tuk tuk ambulances
Ein Oka Taxi fährt durch Chiúre in der Provinz Cabo Delgado im Norden Mosambiks.

Aim of the project

To provide free and fast transport to health facilities for pregnant women

Methods

Renting and maintaining tuk tuks, training drivers, advertising the service to local people

Partner
SDC
University of Oxford Logo
  • SDC
  • University of Oxford Logo
    More links
    • Oka Ventures
    • SRF mitenand: 10.06.2019

    Target groups

    Pregnant women in the Chiúre District in northern Mozambique

    Milestones

    Establishment of social enterprise Oka Ventures in 2018 following successful pilot phase. Implementation of the project by Oka Ventures – guided and financed by SolidarMed

    • Ausserhalb der Dienstfahrten als Ambulanz arbeiten die Fahrer:innen selbständig und befördern Waren oder Personen.
      Outside of the emergency ambulance journeys, drivers are self-employed and transport goods and passengers.
    • Ausserhalb der Dienstfahrten als Ambulanz arbeiten die Fahrer:innen selbständig und befördern Waren oder Personen.
      This baby arrived safely thanks to the Oka taxi. In the night of 20 March 2022, the mother had strong contractions and was driven to the health center in an Oka taxi.
    • Ausserhalb der Dienstfahrten als Ambulanz arbeiten die Fahrer:innen selbständig und befördern Waren oder Personen.
      A single cushioned couch allows pregnant women to be transported.
    • Ausserhalb der Dienstfahrten als Ambulanz arbeiten die Fahrer:innen selbständig und befördern Waren oder Personen.
      An Oka taxi driving through Chiúre in the Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique.

    Your donation makes a difference

    Your valuable donation allows us to transport pregnant women to hospital in time. Thank you so much!

    CHF
    70

    e.g. training in obstetric care

    CHF
    100

    e.g. 20 rides in a motorbike ambulance

    CHF
    120

    e.g. live-saving caesarean sections