Riders for Health

One of the main Africa's problem is poor transportation system that affects many aspects of population's wellbeing, including healthcare. The scope of this problem cannot be under appreciated, the constrains to supply chain do not allow locals to live normal healthy lives because they are unable to get essential medication to treat often easily-preventable diseases. Not much has been done to fix the problem. Yet, here is one success story...

The Riders for Health, led by Andrea and Barry Coleman, is a social entrepreneurial organization that uses an innovative motorcycle based transportation system for healthcare delivery in Africa.

"They knew it was not Africa's harsh conditions that were the problem but poor maintenance. Their solution - train local riders and drivers to carry out simple checks and maintenance. The results - hardly any break downs no matter how rough the roads.

In 1991 Riders for Health launched their first program. Today they...

• employ nearly 300 people in 7 African countries
• manage 1,313 vehicles
• provide access to healthcare for more than 10 million people"

Meet Violet, a professional sample courier

Before her training, Violet had never even ridden a bicycle. She can now ride a motorcycle safely and confidently over some of the most rugged terrains of southern Africa.

'When you are not used to riding a motorcycle, that’s when you find it difficult,” said Violet. “I had to be courageous. I didn’t want to embarrass myself!"

Violet starts the day by visiting the laboratory in Chadiza to see if there are any results that need to be delivered to the health centres she will be visiting that day. She will then travel from Chadiza to one or two of the District’s 15 health centers to collect blood and sputum samples and return them safely to the lab for testing. Some of the health centers Violet has to visit are more than 25 miles away along very bad roads so it can be full day of riding for Violet. But she doesn’t mind.

'This is a really good experience. People are counting on me and this is something big which I am part of.' says Violet. Violet will return to each health centre with the results from the lab within two to four days. These prompt results have a huge impact for the people attending the rural health centres. Once the nurses there have a confirmed diagnosis, patients can start treatment if necessary and needless deaths due to delays can be avoided.

It is amazing what an English couple has achieved in their goal to improve the transportation system in Africa!