Amref Health Africa (formerly the African Medical and Research Foundation) is the largest African health development non-governmental international organisation based in Africa, committed to improving health and health care in Africa. Headquartered in Nairobi,Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and regional hubs in Southern and West Africa based in South Africa and Senegal respectively. In addition, Amref Health Africa works in more than 30 African countries through its outreach, training and laboratory strengthening activities.
Amref Health Africa’ was founded in 1957, when three pioneering surgeons who wanted to take health care to places where there were no doctors or medical assistance used aircraft and radios to reach remote and neglected communities. They became known as the Flying Doctors of East Africa, which later evolved to become the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), now known as Amref Health Africa.
Countries where Amref Health Africa works
To support its operations in Africa through fundraising and advocacy, Amref Health Africa has offices in Austria, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Monaco, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and a Nordic hub based in Sweden. The Amref Flying Doctors was converted into a company limited by guarantee in 2011 to raise funds for the organisation’s charity work.