Mozambique: Emergency transport to hospital
To hospital by motorbike ambulance
There is hardly any motorised transport for medical emergencies in northern Mozambique. This can become a deadly risk for mother and child if there are pregnancy complications. Together with a local cooperative, SolidarMed is testing a new ambulance model.
Key project facts
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Project Goal
Free emergency transport to the closest health centre.
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Target Groups
Emergency patients in Chiúre district in the north of Mozambique.
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Milestones
Successful pilot phase. The model can be transformed into an independent company or cooperative.
Key project facts

Mozambique
The project in a nutshell
SolidarMed is testing an emergency transport system in Chiúre district with the goal of making it self-sustaining. Selected drivers use their vehicles to transport emergency patients to hospital or the closest health centre without charge. The aim is to give pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies in particular access to better medical care. The rest of the time, the drivers can use the vehicle as a taxi to transport people or goods. This combined model should make free emergency trips possible and at the same time provide the driver with an independent income.
The local company Okalihera rents the motorbike ambulances to selected drivers who meet certain conditions. They need to be trained in First Aid, for example. The company pays for the maintenance of the motorbikes. The drivers can use the bikes for private transports and so secure a modest income for themselves. In return, they committ themselves to providing emergency transport at any time - free of charge to the patients.
SolidarMed is committed to environmentally friendly solutions. For this reason, we are also currently developing a solar-powered e-bike ambulance.
Essential Tech EPFL - YouTube Video: OkaTaxi - Taxi and emergency transport at the same time
Currently in the media
SRF journalist Juerg Oehninger visited our innovative Moto-Ambulanz project in Mozambique. A podcast about new approaches in development aid.
SRF mitand: 10.06.2019
SRF Podcast: Input Story. 27.11.2019 | Welche Hilfe hilft? SRF Journalist Jürg Oehninger hat die Moto-Ambulanz in einer Reportage besucht.
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