Amref Health Africa facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1957 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Archibald McIndoe Sir Michael Wood Tom Rees |
| Location |
|
| Origins | East Africa |
|
Area served
|
Africa |
|
Members
|
12 |
|
Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)
|
Githinji Gitahi |
|
Revenue
|
$255m |
|
Employees
|
2100 |
|
Volunteers
|
0 |
|
Formerly called
|
African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) |
Amref Health Africa is a special organization based in Kenya. It helps people in African countries with their health. They also work to protect the environment. Many people think Amref is one of the most important health groups in Africa.
Contents
How Amref Health Africa Started
Amref was first called The Flying Doctors of East Africa. It began in 1957. Three people started it: Sir Archibald McIndoe, Sir Michael Wood, and Dr. Thomas D. Rees.
At first, they helped sick people in faraway places. They used planes to reach them. By the 1970s, they also started teaching health workers in Africa. This helped more people get good care.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Amref grew bigger. They worked with other international groups. They also worked with the health departments in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Their projects focused on community health. A big part of their work was preventing HIV/AIDS.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Amref helped many Africans. They performed thousands of surgeries. These surgeries fixed problems like cleft lip and cleft palate. They did this work with another group called Smile Train.
Sadly, on August 7, 2025, an Amref plane crashed. It was a Cessna Citation XLS. The plane crashed into a house in Mwihoko, Kiambu County. Six people lost their lives in this accident.
The Flying Doctors of East Africa (Film)
In 1969, a short film was made about Amref. It was called "The Flying Doctors of East Africa." The famous director Werner Herzog made this film. At that time, Amref was still known by this name.
The film was shot in Tanzania and Kenya. Werner Herzog said the movie helped Amref a lot. It made more people aware of their important work.
Amref's Leaders
Amref has many leaders who help guide its work.
- Group Chief Executive Officer: Githinji Gitahi
- Amref UK CEO: Camilla Knox-Peebles
- Amref USA CEO: Robert Kelty
- Amref West Africa regional manager: Awa Dieye Dieng
- Amref Kenya country director: Ndirangu Wanjuki
See also
In Spanish: Amref Health Africa para niños
- Clinical officers, who are healthcare providers in Sub-saharan Africa.
- Healthcare in Kenya, about how health services work in Kenya.
