Maisha Plan: Amref Flying Doctors’ Revolutionary Medical Evacuation Initiative

Amref Flying Doctors is a pioneer air ambulance service provider in Africa. For decades, the organisation has been lauded and admired regionally and globally for their unique offering of air evacuation in instances of medical emergency. PARENTS MAGAZINE sat down with them to demystify medical evacuation and talk about Maisha Plan, their revolutionary initiative making medical evacuation accessible to all.

The Birth of Amref Flying Doctors

The Amref Flying Doctors’ journey began in 1957 when three visionary surgeons – Sir Michael Wood, Dr. Tom Rees, and Dr. Archibald McIndoe, identified the critical and urgent need for medical care in remote parts of East Africa. They used light aircraft to overcome the region’s rugged terrain and limited healthcare access to bring health services to communities living in remote areas.

AMREF is the acronym for African Medical Research Foundation – the original name of the organisation. Today, it is known as Amref Health Africa, the largest health NGO in Africa. Amref Flying Doctors (AFD) was registered as a business in 2011 and remains fully owned by Amref Health Africa.

This incorporation allowed them to expand their services and operate as a fully-fledged, internationally-recognised air ambulance provider. Working seamlessly with Amref Health Africa, Amref Flying Doctors delivers both emergency medical care and long-term health programs that transform communities’ well-being.

Growth beyond the continent

Today, the Amref Flying Doctors fleet includes state-of-the-art aircraft capable of short-field operations and long-distance transfers. Annually, they evacuate more than 1,200 patients, not just across Africa, but also to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Each aircraft is equipped with advanced medical technology and is staffed by highly trained doctors, nurses, and paramedics specialising in aeromedical care.

Making medical evacuation accessible & affordable

Amref Flying Doctors is committed to making medical evacuation accessible and affordable for low-income households. Recognising that timely medical evacuation can be the difference between life and death, they have developed innovative solutions to bridge this gap.

One key initiative is the Maisha Medical Evacuation Plan, which offers an affordable subscription-based model for individuals and families. It covers a range of emergency air and ground evacuations, ensuring that even those in remote or underserved areas can access life-saving services when needed. This plan has been designed to be cost-effective, with tiered packages to cater to different needs in different regions.

Their collaborations with governments, humanitarian agencies, and non-governmental organisations help subsidise evacuation services for vulnerable populations. For example, during emergencies in regions like South Sudan, Amref Flying Doctors work with partners to provide evacuations in conflict zones where conventional services are unavailable​.

The inspiration behind the Maisha Medical Evacuation Plan

The Maisha Medical Evacuation Plan was inspired by Amref Flying Doctors’ commitment to making life-saving medical evacuation services accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. There has long been a perception that air evacuation is reserved for the affluent, but medical emergencies can affect anyone, regardless of social status. The Maisha Plan was designed to challenge that misconception and ensure that quality emergency care is within reach for all.

The aim is to offer an affordable, subscription-based solution that provides peace of mind to individuals and families across the region. By offering tiered packages, Amref Flying Doctors can cater to different needs and financial capacities, ensuring that people from all walks of life can benefit from their services.

Additionally, the revenue generated through the Maisha Plan goes back to their parent organisation, Amref Health Africa, which supports critical healthcare initiatives in underserved communities. This means that every Maisha subscription not only protects you and your loved ones but also contributes to strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.

Maisha Plan and its offerings

The plan offers levels depending on geographical location:

• Bronze – Covers Kenya only.
• Silver – Covers Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar.
• Gold – Covers Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
• Platinum – Covers Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
• Diamond – Covers Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
• Tourist Cover – Short-term coverage for visitors to East Africa.
• Scholar Plan – Designed for learning institutions, ensuring students and staff have access to emergency medical evacuations.

Subscribers enjoy 24/7 access to emergency evacuation services, tailored to their needs.

Click here to subscribe.

Global services for a global clientele

Amref Flying Doctors is global. They are able to respond to emergencies anywhere in the world. For example, in early 2024, they successfully evacuated a critically ill patient from Nairobi to San Diego – a 14,000 km journey. The mission showcased their ability to deliver advanced, round-the-clock in-flight care during a 22-hour flight.

A deep commitment to Africa and its people

The strength of Amref Flying Doctors lies in their deep understanding of Africa’s unique challenges and their commitment to its people. They operate across the continent and beyond, even reaching conflict zones. Their 24/7 Operations Centre ensures rapid response, and their fleet of flying ICUs delivers top-notch care.

Moreover, through the Maisha Plan, Amref Flying Doctors makes medical evacuations affordable and accessible, catering to families, tourists, and learning institutions.