Taxi Company Bolt To Offer Free Rides To Expectant Women

Taxi-hailing app, has partnered with Kenya Healthcare Federation (KFH) to offer expectant mothers free rides to enable them access medical facilities during curfew hours.

Dubbed Wheels for Life the initiative will see expectant women within Nairobi and its environs get free rides from their homes to the approved health facilities through Bolt for Business account that will be managed by the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), the health sector board of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

The initiative seeks to provide access to hospitals for women in labour who might have obstetric emergencies during curfew hours, reducing maternal deaths during COVID -19 pandemic. 

Bolt Kenya Country manager, Ola Akinnusi said that the status of the curfew caused increased anxiety for those seeking medical assistance past the curfew hours and with that arose a need come up with a support system. “Our aim is to facilitate the movement of expectant mothers during emergencies related to labour from their homes to the approved health facility of their choice in a safe, convenient and timely manner. This is why we have a partnership that will see many expectant mothers get free rides to the hospitals throughout the curfew hours, “he said.

According to the company, it will liaise with existing call centers with the help of medical personnel to help assess the severity of cases and advise on nearest facility and aid in getting transport to them during the night time.

Near-term women, with birth plans in place will be provided with stamped documents from the relevant authorities and hospitals to enable them and their partners passage on the road as they rush to hospital. They will be required to call a toll-free line (1196), in order to have access to these services.

Near-term women, with birth plans in place will be provided with stamped documents from the relevant authorities and hospitals to enable them and their partners passage on the road as they rush to hospital. They will be required to call a toll-free line (1196), in order to have access to these services.

The partnership will see Bolt work with government authorities, corporate and other responsible private stakeholders to ensure easy flow of this programme for all the public.

“This is a multi-agency partnership that will see us work very closely with other agencies including the police such that when a call is made, they be informed, and where possible, facilitate the process of reaching the patients who are in labor and in taking them to the needed hospital for care,” Ola added.