Riders for Health's Solution
Riders for Health manage and maintain vehicles used in the delivery of health care in Africa. When health workers have the reliable transport they need, they can deliver regular health care to even the most isolated communities. Learn more about how Riders is helping to improve health care for rural communities in Africa by clicking on the arrow.
Riders ensures that health care delivery in the areas in which it works is never undermined by vehicles failing – no matter how harsh the conditions. Using motorcycles in Africa is not a new idea, but Riders’ holistic approach to providing integrated, managed transportation is.
Our innovation was the design of an appropriate, sustainable infrastructure in which to manage vehicles used in the harshest of conditions of the African terrain. The system, which is known as Transport Resource Management (TRM), focuses on preventive maintenance. It has been tried, tested and costed, and has the potential to be replicated across Africa.
The key elements in Riders' work are:
a) Rider and driver training: safety is vital, as is sympathetic riding/driving of the vehicle.
b) Daily maintenance checks by riders/drivers.
c) Outreach maintenance: you must be able to go to where the vehicles are for monthly maintenance.
d) Parts supply chain: parts must be available for routine replacement.
e) High technical standards: technicians must operate to the highest standards.
f) Accurate costings: it is essential to know and understand the precise cost of running vehicles.
'We have had vehicles and motorcycles before. The difference is that now they are maintained properly by Riders for Health. Because I have a reliable motorcycle I can cover a large area and prevent the spread of disease. That’s how lives are saved.’ Philemon Simanyo, environmental health technician, Zimbabwe.
Riders currently works in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the Gambia, Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania and Lesotho. Each programme is run by nationals of the country concerned, which builds local capacity, creates skilled employment and embeds a culture of preventive maintenance into the communities. Without this, the systems would have a finite life, constantly disrupted by the comings and goings of expatriate staff.
Across Africa, Riders now employs 270 people, running more than 1,300 vehicles and keeping health and community workers from a variety of organisations ‘on the road’ – from ministries of health to small community groups. To sustain the TRM system, and build local capacity and a strong maintenance culture, Riders also established the International Academy of Vehicle Management in Harare, Zimbabwe.
'Before [we received a vehicle under the Riders’ TRM system] we could not rely on the ambulance to get to remote areas. We would not go because we could be afraid that we could not get back. And the people would not meet us at the outreach clinic…they would not trust that we could be there.' Community nurse, the Gambia.
To find out more about How we Work click here.
Working with our local partner organisations, Riders’ focus has always been to manage their vehicles to a zero-breakdown standard, so that their focus and resources can be directed solely to their work in the field. You can find out more about our partner organisations here.
The result is that vehicles of all kinds – motorcycles, cars, trucks and ambulances – are now running perfectly across Africa, enabling over 10.8 million people to access basic health care, sometimes for the first time in their lives.
'In 1999 there was a cholera epidemic in my area with 99 recorded cases. The motorcycle enabled me to effect follow-up visits that saved lives, where death would have been inevitable. I have assisted in malaria control and flood disease prevention where, truly, motorcycles have saved lives.' M Marime, an environmental health technician (EHT), Zimbabwe.
To find out more about the impact of Riders’ work, click here.