AMREF Flying Doctors

AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD)^[1] is an air ambulance and medical evacuation service headquartered at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Amref Health Africa, the organization functions as the aviation arm of the parent Amref Health Africa. AFD provides 24-hour emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and ground ambulance services throughout Africa, with international operations extending to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Profits generated by the service are reinvested to support the public health and training programs of Amref Health Africa.

History

Origins (1949–1957)

The origins of the organization trace back to 1949, when British surgeon Dr. Michael Wood met Sir Archibald McIndoe, a pioneer in wartime reconstructive surgery, while training in England. Along with Dr. Tom Rees, they discussed the necessity of providing specialist medical and surgical care to remote regions of East Africa. In 1957, the three doctors registered the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMRF) in New York City, establishing the first African-based organization to combine medicine and aviation for humanitarian purposes.

Formation of the Flying Doctors Service (1961–1964)

The Flying Doctors Service was officially inaugurated in 1961 under the AMRF. Operations began with a Piper Aztec donated by American broadcaster Arthur Godfrey, which was flown from the United States to Nairobi. In 1962, the fleet expanded with the acquisition of a Cessna 182 from Lockhaven^[2], Pennsylvania, flown across the Atlantic by pilot Walter Moody. By 1964, the service had established the largest medical radio network in East Africa to link rural clinics and hospitals, having logged over 250,000 miles¹¹.

Expansion and the Bush-Flying Era (1965–1975)

Between 1965 and 1975, the organization expanded its aviation capabilities with aircraft including the Piper Cherokee 235, Cessna 206 Super Skywagon, and Cessna 402. During this period, doctors and pilots routinely performed "bush flying," navigating by natural landmarks and landing on grass or dirt airstrips in the wilderness. Notable figures included Dr. Anne Spoerry, known as "Mama Daktari," who joined in 1965 and pioneered solo aerial medical rounds to isolated pastoralist communities. By 1970, the service had flown 1.5 million miles without a serious accident.

Transition to AMREF Flying Doctors (1976–1980)

In 1976, the AMRF changed its name to AMREF^[3], and the aviation division was rebranded as AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD). During the same year, new flight circuits were launched in Tanzania's Mwanza Lake Region. By 1979, the fleet included a Britten-Norman Islander and a Cessna 404 Titan (registration 5Y-DOC) donated by the Royal Dutch Government, marking the milestone of surpassing five million miles flown.

Services

AMREF Flying Doctors offers various aeromedical and emergency response services, including:

• Air Ambulance and Medical Evacuation: Emergency transport for patients.
• Ground Ambulance Support: Land-based medical transport.
• Medical Escort Services: Accompanied medical travel.
• Maisha Subscription Plans: Coverage plans for medical evacuation.
• Training and Capacity Building: Educational programs.
• Private Charter Operations: Aviation charter services.

Fleet

The organization's fleet has evolved significantly from its early days of operating donor-funded light aircraft such as the Piper Aztec, Cessna 182, and Piper Cherokee 235. The fleet was later upgraded to modern aircraft, including the Beechcraft King Air B200 and B350.

Historically, operations have included the Pilatus PC-12 and various jets such as the Cessna Citation Bravo, Citation XLS, and Citation Sovereign C680. Currently, AMREF Flying Doctors operates a fleet consisting of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and the Citation Sovereign C680.

Operations and reach

Missions are coordinated through a 24-hour Control Centre located at Wilson Airport^[4]. While rooted in Africa, flights now extend globally to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe to facilitate specialized medical transfers and international repatriations³⁰.

Governance and accreditation

AMREF Flying Doctors is a company limited by guarantee and is wholly owned by Amref Health Africa. The organization is regulated by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and holds accreditation from the European Aeromedical Institute (EURAMI) and the International Assistance Group (IAG).

Key Leadership:^[5]

• Chief Executive Officer: Stephen Gitau
• Medical Director: Dr. Joseph Lelo
• Director of Flight Operations: Captain Kefa Kihara
• Chief Pilot: Capt. Sam Muikia
• Chief Finance Officer: Joe Muturi
• Head of People, Culture and Administration: Laura Eva Oliwa

Awards and recognition

AMREF Flying Doctors has received multiple accolades from the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Awards. The organization was named Air Ambulance Provider of the Year in 2011 and 2014. Additionally, it won the ITIJ Marketing Campaign of the Year award in both 2022 and 2024. It retains international recognition for its medical expertise and safety standards in aeromedical transport.

Milestones

Year	Event
1957	African Medical and Research Foundation (AMRF) established.
1961	Flying Doctors Service inaugurated.
1976	AMRF renamed AMREF; aviation unit rebranded AMREF Flying Doctors.
2015	Citation Sovereign C680 jet introduced for global operations.
2016	Pilatus PC-12 NG added for regional, short-field missions.
2022	ITIJ Air Ambulance Provider of the Year Award.

Legacy

Since its founding, AMREF Flying Doctors has flown millions of miles and evacuated tens of thousands of patients, delivering care to remote African regions. The service's operational model has inspired similar aeromedical schemes across the continent. The organization continues to operate under the motto: "We safely go where no one else goes".