Ecobank and AMREF, a medical foundation, have formed an agreement to assist in the swift and cost-effective evacuation of patients within East Africa. This collaboration involves Ecobank’s Kenyan branch and aims to provide timely air and ground evacuation services for medical emergencies to Ecobank’s customers across East Africa. This partnership operates under AMREF’s “Maisha membership” program.
The partnership grants members of AMREF Flying Doctors’ Maisha plan access to unlimited evacuation flights during a year for medical emergencies. Additionally, it offers limitless ground ambulance transfers within Kenya and access to AMREF Flying Doctors’ round-the-clock control center staffed by qualified medical professionals who provide crucial medical advice.
The Maisha membership eliminates the involvement of intermediaries, enabling Ecobank’s clients to directly access these services when required. Premium-level members receive further benefits, including air medical evacuations and up to US$200,000 for post-evacuation hospitalization in Nairobi or South Africa, along with return flights back to their home.
Josephine Anan-Ankomah, the Managing Director and Regional Executive CESA of Ecobank Kenya, expressed her contentment during the partnership’s signing at AMREF Flying Doctors’ hangar in Nairobi. She stated that accessing medical emergency evacuations remains a significant challenge in Africa due to high costs, infrastructural limitations, and a lack of skilled resources. She highlighted the partnership’s goal to provide easy access to emergency medical services for proper treatment in the region.
Dr. Joseph Lelo, the Medical Director of AMREF Flying Doctors, commended the partnership for addressing the critical need for medical emergency coverage. He acknowledged the emotional and financial stress that healthcare emergencies impose on families in the region. Dr. Lelo emphasized that the Maisha Membership would ensure prompt and professional medical transport during emergencies and encouraged Ecobank’s customers to enroll in this emergency medical evacuation plan, which offers cost-effective access to premium transportation services.
Dr. Lelo highlighted AMREF Flying Doctors’ extensive experience of over 65 years in delivering rapid and high-quality air evacuation services with well-trained personnel and robust infrastructure. He expressed excitement about partnering with Ecobank and lauded the bank’s initiative.
The Maisha Emergency Medical Evacuation Plan offers five packages—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—starting from as low as KShs 3,100. These packages cover evacuations within Eastern Africa and include countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Members can extend these benefits to family members as per the package tariffs. Ecobank customers can access the Maisha Medical Evacuation scheme through the bank’s customer service center or by visiting their branches.