Nairobi – December 4, 2023 – Amref’s Mobile Clinic Driver honoured at COP28. Mr Daniel Kimemia, a long-serving driver at Amref Health Africa, has been awarded the prestigious Frontline Exemplar Award for his outstanding efforts in reaching remote communities across East Africa with essential health services, including vaccines, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daniel was recognised at the Last Mile Health Ceremony held on the sidelines of COP 28 in Dubai. Organised by Reaching the Last Mile Initiative in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Frontline Exemplar Award was designed to appreciate exceptional individuals who played a key role in delivering essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating remarkable courage and dedication to keep others safe and ensured continuity of essential services in their local communities.
The award was handed over by Dr Maha Barakat, the Assistant Minister for Health and Life Sciences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director General of the UAE Frontline Heroes Office.
Through the solar-powered mobile clinic, launched by Amref Health Africa in partnership with AstraZeneca and Ministry of Health Kenya in June 2022, Daniel has navigated the clinic through challenging terrains, hard-to-reach areas and across borders traversing three countries—Kenya, Rwanda, and Zanzibar—covering an extensive total distance of over 32,000 kilometres delivering essential vaccines to the underserved communities.
His role extended beyond merely driving the clinic. Daniel actively engaged in community outreach and awareness efforts to mobilise community members to drive demand for vaccination services. Recognising the critical importance of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations, he went above and beyond his call of duty to raise awareness in a creative and impactful manner by incorporating humour and comics to effectively communicate the significance of vaccines using megaphones or public address systems.
This journey was not just about the physical distance covered; it represented his commitment to ensuring that COVID-19 and other essential health vaccines reached every corner, especially those areas where access to healthcare is limited. To date, the mobile clinic has reached over 114,000 individuals with various health services, including vaccinations, cervical cancer and screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), among other health services.
“I am deeply humbled by the recognition, and this award is not just a reflection of my efforts but a collective effort of our team at Amref, including an exceptional team of dedicated health workers, Community Health Workers, and partners, who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines to ensure underserved communities are reached with the lifesaving products and services,” said Kimemia. “The last mile is often the hardest, but it is where our impact matters the most. I believe that everyone, regardless of their location, deserves access to essential health services. Let this award inspire all of us to continue pushing the boundaries and reaching those who need our support the most.”
About Amref Health Africa
About Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa-based international health and development organisation providing training and health services to over 20 million people annually in at least 30 African countries. Amref Health Africa continues evolving and innovating approaches to increase sustainable health access among communities. Amref manages a full range of medical and public health programmes tackling the continent’s most critical health challenges –including global health emergencies, communicable and non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, maternal and childcare, water, sanitation and climate change. Much of our credibility with local communities and African governments stems from the relationship and trust we have built over the past 65 years.
Media Contacts:
- Maureen Cherongis, Media Relations Officer, Amref Health Africa, HQ: [email protected]