Amref Tanzania and Buffalo Bicycles Empower Community Health Workers with 250 Bicycles to Tackle Fistula in Geita

Geita, 4 July 2025 – Amref Health Africa in Tanzania, with support from Buffalo Bicycles Tanzania, handed over 250 high-quality bicycles valued at TZS 132,500,000 (USD  50,430) to Community Health Workers (Fistula Ambassadors) in Geita Region. The initiative aims to enhance their capacity to reach and educate women who have, or are at risk of developing, obstetric fistula, especially in remote areas.

Obstetric fistula remains one of the most significant challenges to women’s health and dignity in Tanzania, affecting thousands each year.

The handover event, organised in collaboration with Geita Regional Authorities, was part of broader efforts to strengthen reproductive health services and eradicate fistula.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Yohane Kihaga, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Geita Region, said:

“These bicycles will not only facilitate the work of Fistula Ambassadors, but will also catalyse a real revolution in access to maternal and child health services in rural areas. We congratulate Amref Health Africa in Tanzania and Buffalo Bicycles Tanzania for this great contribution.”

Gaspery Misungwi, Fistula Project Manager at Amref, emphasised the importance of investing in community-led solutions:

“Through this support from Buffalo Bicycles, we are empowering our community health ambassadors to go further, saving lives, restoring dignity, and reducing stigma for women affected by obstetric fistula. This is a direct investment in the health and rights of women and children.”

For his part, Rehema Richard, Evaluation and Monitoring Manager at Buffalo Bicycles Tanzania, said the bicycles 

Rehema Richard, Evaluation and Monitoring Manager at Buffalo Bicycles Tanzania, underscored the impact of reliable transport and the contribution from Buffalo Bicycles Tanzania as part of a strategic partnership aimed at enabling health workers to reach more people quickly and effectively.

“We believe quality bicycles are a key bridge between health workers and the communities they serve. By partnering with Amref, we are supporting real change in people’s lives, especially in rural areas.”

As part of the initiative to improve access to healthcare in hard-to-reach areas, Community Health Workers (CHWs) expressed their appreciation for the support received through the provision of bicycles:

“Transportation has always been a major challenge because the communities we serve are in very remote areas. These bicycles will greatly enhance our ability to reach more women in need,” said Daudi Kazimoto Nyanda, a Community Health Worker (CHW) Geita region.

Koletha Petro Boyi, also a CHW, added: “With this bicycle, I can now reach even neighboring villages that don’t have fistula ambassadors. We’re truly grateful to Amref and Buffalo Bicycles for helping us overcome this transportation barrier.”

The bicycles will enable Fistula Ambassadors to:

• Reach remote areas more quickly and safely
• Follow up on women at risk of obstetric fistula
• Make timely referrals for emergency care
• Provide education on fistula, reproductive health and women’s rights
• Collect vital health information to inform policy decisions

This effort builds on Amref Tanzania’s more than 20-year commitment to fighting obstetric fistula, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and international partners. The goal is to ensure reproductive health services are available in a timely, equitable, and respectful manner, leaving no woman behind.