Uganda’s healthcare system has made strides in recent years, but significant gaps remain—especially in emergency response.
Public hospitals are overcrowded, private healthcare is costly, and rural areas often face life-threatening delays in accessing medical help.
Enter Rescue.co, a leading emergency response platform that’s expanding to Uganda to tackle these challenges head-on.
What Is Rescue.co?
Rescue.co is a tech-driven platform that connects people to a reliable network of ambulances, hospitals, and first responders.
By streamlining emergency services, it ensures faster, more efficient care.
The company has already made a significant impact in Kenya, reducing response times from 162 minutes to just 15 minutes and facilitating over 40,000 rescues. Now, it’s bringing its proven model to Uganda.
Why Uganda?
Caitlin Dolkart, Managing Director of Rescue.co, explains the decision: “Uganda’s emergency response system is fragmented, much like Kenya’s was before our intervention. There’s a clear need for a coordinated, technology-driven solution to improve accessibility, response times, and quality of care.”
Uganda’s emerging healthcare sector and potential for digital transformation make it an ideal market for Rescue.co’s integrated platform.
Partnerships Driving Change
Rescue.co is already making waves in Uganda, partnering with the Ugandan Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB), which operates a network of hospitals and ambulances.
These collaborations are building an ecosystem where emergency calls are dispatched efficiently to the nearest available responder.
The company is also in discussions with government stakeholders, telco companies, corporates, and insurance providers to strengthen Uganda’s emergency care infrastructure and make high-quality response services affordable for all.
Early Impact and Future Goals
Since its launch, Rescue.co has already completed 200 life-saving transfers in Uganda, with an average response time of just 11 minutes. In its first year, the company aims to:
- Reduce response times significantly, aiming for benchmarks as low as 2 minutes.
- Integrate a network of ambulance providers, hospitals, and first responders.
- Increase access to emergency care, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
- Facilitate thousands of life-saving interventions through the platform.
Innovations Setting Rescue.co Apart
Rescue.co isn’t just another emergency service—it’s a game-changer. Here’s how:
- Single Emergency Number: One number connects users to a vast network of providers.
- Real-Time Dispatch: Ensures the nearest responder is sent to the emergency.
- Live Tracking: Provides real-time ETAs for ambulances.
- Tele-Triage Support: Guides callers through first aid and assesses emergency severity.
- Predictive Analytics: Identifies high-risk areas and deploys resources proactively.
- Subscription Model: Makes emergency care accessible and affordable for all.
Related: James Onyutta: Leading Digital Transformation at FINCA Uganda
A Pan-African Vision
Uganda is a critical step in Rescue.co’s mission to become Africa’s largest emergency services provider.
After Uganda, the company plans to expand to Tanzania (where it has already launched), Rwanda, Ethiopia, and beyond.
“By leveraging data, AI, and strategic partnerships, we aim to set the standard for emergency care across the continent,” says Dolkart.
The Bigger Picture
Rescue.co is more than a service—it’s a movement to redefine emergency healthcare in Africa.
By creating a technology-driven, integrated ecosystem, the company is ensuring that rapid, high-quality medical assistance is available to everyone, regardless of location.
For Uganda, this expansion marks a turning point in emergency response. With Rescue.co’s innovative approach, the future of healthcare looks brighter—and faster—than ever.
