Working with the Kenyan government in Nyanza province in the west of Kenya, the Department for International Development (DFID) has helped fund improvements to childbirth facilities by introducing; a new health centre, malaria nets for new mothers and an eRanger Ambulance to referrer those in labour.

“Here, where there are few roads, a motorcycle with a sidecar ambulance is a clever, low-cost idea. Many mothers give birth at home because the healthcare centre at Magunga is just too far away to walk. Samuel Ouko, the ambulance driver, has ferried 15 mothers in labour to Magunga in the last four months. All gave birth to healthy children. If necessary, a nurse or midwife can ride pillion behind Samuel” reports DFID.

The centre Magunga now caters for up to 20 births a month – this is a massive increase from five only two years ago. Work on education in the villages has meant that now most mothers come here - they know it costs nothing and is much safer than giving birth at home.

One story explains the benefits this work has brought about.

Reports DFID" Jane Mudaji, 32, gave birth to her baby, Helen, a couple of hours ago. "The motorcycle ambulance helped me very much. When the labour started at home this morning, we called it immediately. It would have taken me an hour of fast walking to the health centre, and I don't think that would have been possible. It started with an ambulance ride to hospital, but now Jane is safely back at home with her children and a new sister for them. Tonight her family will prepare a feast for her to congratulate her and help get her strength back”