Leveraging innovative technology and health data to enhance access to emergency care and referral services in Kenya.

Abstract

Background: Access to timely emergency medical services is a persistent challenge in low- and middle-income countries, where systems are often fragmented and under-resourced. In Kenya, gaps in centralized dispatch, ambulance coverage and coordination have led to prolonged emergency response times.

Methods: Rescue.co's proprietary Flare platform and services were implemented in urban and rural Kenya, and expanded to Uganda and Tanzania. This case examined operational data, dispatch records and platform iterations in Kenya from 2017 to 2025.

Implementation: Rescue.co uses a proprietary tech stack-including global positioning system (GPS), Android devices, Google Maps application programming interface, and telecom tools-to enable real-time fleet coordination and route optimization. A 24/7 dispatch center staffed by trained personnel manages end-to-end response, using dispatch data to refine system performance and scalability.

Outcomes: Rescue.co reduced average response times from >160 minutes to 13 minutes in urban areas and <30 minutes in rural regions in Kenya. By 2025, 47 000+ emergency responses had been coordinated, 800+ ambulance providers had been connected to the network, and 2000 health facilities had been linked.

Conclusion: Rescue.co illustrates how a locally developed, scalable digital solution has transformed emergency medical services delivery in Kenya, with the potential to be scaled to other low- and middle-income countries. Its experience offers practical insights for health system leaders and policymakers advancing digital emergency care.