The difference transport makes to child mortality and preventive healthcare efforts: Riders for Health.

Abstract

The 20th and 21st century witnessed the development of many sophisticated vaccinations and other key preventive health interventions, and yet child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa remains unacceptably high. One of the barriers identified to reducing child mortality in rural regions of Africa is distance and lack of transportation. In order to address this, a growing charitable organisation, Riders for Health (http://www.riders.org) has developed a reliable and cost-effective system for managing vehicles used in all types of healthcare delivery. The system intends to ensure that the delivery of health interventions is never undermined by failing vehicles no matter how harsh the terrain. The system provides reliable transport in direct support of partner healthcare goals and, in so doing, maintains a supply of appropriately managed vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Thereby health workers are empowered, their productivity and coverage enhanced and the efficiency of health interventions they promote maximised.