A boda boda ambulance donated to Katilu sub-county hospital in Turkana County is proving helpful especially to mothers seeking antenatal care in the county.
Images of the innovative ambulance depict how the motorcycle was modified to accommodate a passenger in a lying position together with medical supplies.
The design of the ambulance is such that the patient carrier has a shade that protects the passenger from direct sunlight and rain.
Currently, the ambulance is being used to provide emergency transport to the health facility, and for inter-facility referrals of pregnant women.
According to the hospital's medical superintendent Mathew Bundotich, the ambulance has been instrumental, especially during the severe drought ravaging the county.
"With the increase in distance to the health facility, we have to follow the women into the community in order to reach them with the services,” Bundotich indicated.
Mark Epeyon, the community health volunteer operating the ambulance has mastered the art of navigating both on and off-road terrain to save mothers in urgent need of help.
Epeyon indicated that the boda boda ambulance has enabled the county government to mitigate some of the effects of the drought as weak and malnourished women can still access health care.
He recounted a personal experience that left his newborn baby with complications before the county government received the donation.
“When my wife got pregnant the first time, she gave birth at home and our child developed health complications that have affected him into adulthood,” Epeyon revealed.
Turkana County Executive Committee member for Health and Sanitation George Emoru indicated that the donation was a milestone that will quickly address the distance covered by mothers accessing healthcare facilities across the county.
Furthermore, the ambulance is poised to help reduce cases of infant and maternal mortality rates in the county.
