Uber provides transport support for Kenyan medical professionals and COVID-19 taskforce workers
As COVID-19 continues to affect Kenyan communities, Uber has launched #MoveWhatMatters, a campaign in which Uber is partnering with healthcare organizations to provide critical transport support in their frontline services to the nation.
As part of the initiative, Uber has teamed up with The Nairobi Hospital and Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital to provide trips at a discounted fee to ease movement for medical professionals, ensuring that frontline workers have a reliable and efficient way of getting to and from where their services are required.
To support the Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Uber will also provide 5000 free trips and 2000 free deliveries from Uber Eats as they coordinate all coronavirus efforts in the country. Uber will also provide free rides to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and Ministry of Health staff.
Brian Njao, Uber Country Manager for Kenya says, “Healthcare staff are working tirelessly to serve and treat those affected by the coronavirus. It’s important to us to join forces with the Government and those providing medical support and we are privileged to play our part in responding to COVID-19.”
Uber’s responsibility doesn’t end at merely providing this service and have kept the safety in mind while following the government guidelines. Uber has shared relevant health information with drivers to ensure they are well-trained in COVID-19 related safety protocols and have been provided with sanitiser reimbursements. Recently, Uber partnered with Zydii and rescue.co to launch a free SMS-based driver education programme, aimed at providing tips on preventing infection with COVID-19 while travelling with passengers.
Drivers and delivery people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority will also receive 14-day financial support from Uber. We have rolled out a number of new features and policies to help ensure the health and well-being of drivers and delivery people while operating across our platform, including info in-app, no-contact delivery and providing sanitizer reimbursements, and more.
“We want to send our heartfelt thanks to drivers for moving what matters and to healthcare workers and task force workers for keeping us all safe. We hope our #MoveWhatMatters campaign makes a difference to those who are making a massive change in our lives. Ensuring the safety of all those who use our platform is a key focus of ours and we are ready to work with more businesses, task forces, hospitals and others to support them during these times of uncertainty,” adds Njao.