AA Kenya and AMREF Flying Doctors Launch Maisha Membership
By Whitney Akinyi and Fidelis Rukwaro
Automobile Association of Kenya (AA Kenya), a leading national automotive association, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) Flying Doctors to introduce Maisha Membership, an innovative air and ground ambulance scheme aimed at providing essential emergency medical evacuation services to its members.
This collaboration will grant AA Kenya members direct access to AMREF Flying Doctors’ renowned 24-hour control center, staffed by qualified medical practitioners.
The primary objective of this partnership is to safeguard motorists and their families in the unfortunate event of road accidents. By ensuring swift and professional medical evacuation services, the initiative aims to minimize further injuries or fatalities that often occur during accident evacuations.
Shockingly, according to data from AA Kenya, over 50 percent of fatalities resulting from road accidents can be attributed to inadequate medical skills among first responders.
By eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries, this partnership ensures members can access air ambulance services directly, enhancing efficiency and saving crucial time in life-threatening situations.
At the launch event, held in Nairobi, AMREF Flying Doctors’ Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Lelo, expressed his profound appreciation for the collaboration, underscoring its significance.
“The partnership between AMREF Flying Doctors and AA Kenya is a commendable initiative, allowing us to extend our services to their esteemed members. It enables them to avail themselves of life-saving medical evacuation services and prompt emergency roadside rescue,” said Lelo.
“We are thrilled to offer these critical services at a significantly reduced membership cost, starting as low as Kes 2500 per year. This partnership directly addresses the needs of individuals who prioritize the peace of mind that comes with reliable medical assistance in times of crisis.”
Under this pioneering partnership, AA Kenya Premier and Prestige members will receive free ground and air evacuation services as part of their membership benefits. Additionally, other AA members will have access to the same life-saving services at a discounted fee of Kshs. 2,500 per annum, granting them unlimited air and ground ambulance services in case of medical emergencies.
This collaboration forms an integral part of AA Kenya’s unwavering commitment to road safety and prioritizing the well-being of its members and their loved ones in unforeseen accidents or emergencies.
“This partnership means that we are putting lives first before anything else. Therefore, as we are taking care of the vehicles, AMREF will be taking care of the lives,” said Francis Theuri, AA Kenya CEO.
This collaboration between AA Kenya and AMREF Flying Doctors marks a significant milestone in enhancing the safety and well-being of AA Kenya members. With a combined history of 164 years of service, these two esteemed organizations are poised to positively impact emergency response and save lives across Kenya by joining forces.