Since 2021, the USAID Keneya Nieta Activity, led by URC, has been supporting the Government of Mali in strengthening the resilience of its community health system with a goal of reducing maternal, neonatal, and child mortality within communities.
On Sept. 5, the Activity formally donated 200 ambulance tricycles to the same number of villages in the Mopti, Ségou, and Sikasso regions of Mali, marking a major step forward in strengthening the referral-evacuation system between villages and community health centers.
This donation of emergency transport closely aligns with the project’s objectives by promoting optimized use of maternal, neonatal, and child health care and services. It also contributes significantly to reducing inequalities in access to care, strengthening community resilience, and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.
“These motorcycle ambulances are not just a means of transportation – they are a real lifeline,” said Rachna Korhonen, U.S. Ambassador to Mali.
Three Times as Fast
This donation “will considerably reduce delays in access to care, save lives, and strengthen community confidence in our health system,” said Dr. Abdoulaye Guindo, Secretary General of the Mali Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Currently, some villages use carts to transport patients to health centers. A journey that once required an hour by cart can be completed in 20 minutes by ambulance tricycle, allowing rapid access to care and essential health services. Other villages use regular motorcycles, but these are not suitable for all patients, including pregnant women. Village health solidarity funds will help maximize the effectiveness of this system by paying for fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and drivers.
More than 340,500 people are expected to benefit from this expanded service, including 17,000 pregnant women and nearly 75,000 children younger than 5 years.
Donation has Many Long-Term Benefits
In multiple ways, the ambulance tricycles will contribute to building a more equitable and robust health system, more capable of responding to the needs of communities.
Reducing maternal and infant mortality: Accessing care more quickly reduces the risk of serious complications, contributing to declining maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates.
Community capacity building: The donation contributes to strengthening the capacities of local communities to manage health emergencies, a key objective to ensure the sustainability of interventions and the empowerment of communities.
Strengthening community resilience: With easier access to health services, communities will be better prepared to deal with health emergencies, strengthening long-term resilience.
Supporting health equity: Facilitating access to quality care for vulnerable populations in remote rural areas plays a critical role in reducing health inequalities.
