

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is an international health organization that provides health and social care services in Africa and the Diaspora.
How we began, History of AHO
Africa Health Organisation (AHO) was founded in 1999 in Harare, Zimbabwe, by Graciano Masauso, following dialysis in Harare from 1997 to 1999 and his kidney transplant in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1999.
Graciano’s personal experience of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Hypertensive Renal Disease, Kidney Failure, Diabetes Type II, Diabetic Retinopathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Heart Diseases (AF, LVH, HHD, CAD and Angina), Addison’s Disease, Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenal Crisis, Mental Illness, shortage of dialysis and the painful journey to kidney transplant inspired him to set up an organisation that would meet the needs of ordinary people.
While on dialysis, Graciano realised that health was a privilege of the rich and a doom for the poor, as many people who could not afford dialysis died without help and support. Graciano used to watch children collapsing and dying due to a lack of pediatric specialists’ dialysis services. Patients travel from Zambia to come to Zimbabwe for dialysis and die on the 600km journey.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), which was based in Harare at the hospital where he was receiving dialysis, could not help him. Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, AHO Afro Regional Director, said WHO does not help individuals but provides technical support to governments to strengthen their capacity to deliver health services.
Even for his kidney transplant, Graciano received generous donations from primary and secondary school children, universities, individuals, and companies in Zimbabwe and legacy donations from the UK, US, and the EU to raise the $100,000 needed to travel to South Africa, as there were no transplant facilities in Zimbabwe.
History stages
1996 – Graciano Masauso diagnosed with Kidney Failure and starts dialysis in Harare, Zimbabwe
1999 – Graciano underwent a kidney transplant at Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa
1999 – Graciano presented the proposal at the University of Zimbabwe Medical School
2000 – Presentation of proposal at Garden City Hospital in South Africa
2000 – Presentations in Hanover, Bonn, Hamburg, Munster and Berlin in German
2001 – Graciano moved to Wimbledon, Canterbury, Islington and Norwich, UK
2005 – AFREKID was founded in the UK to be the forerunner of AHO
2009 – AHO registered in England and Scotland as subsidiaries
2016 – AHO registered as an international health agency in the UK
2020 – AHO registered in Zambia as an international health agency
2021 – AHO registered in Zimbabwe as an international health agency
Purpose
Our purpose is to advocate for health as a fundamental human and animal right, ensuring that all people and animals in Africa and the Diaspora can live healthy and productive lives.
Mission
Our mission is to lead and coordinate strategic efforts that promote equity in health and improve health outcomes and quality of life for people and animals in Africa and the Diaspora.
We aim to achieve our mission by empowering communities, enhancing healthcare infrastructure and systems, providing innovative solutions, engaging in strategic partnerships, using evidence-based practices, and fostering sustainable development to achieve universal health coverage.
Vision
We envision an Africa and the Diaspora where everyone can access comprehensive, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare services that promote optimal health equity and well-being.
Aim
We aim to achieve and maintain optimal health and quality of life by reducing the disease burden, enhancing health security, and promoting health literacy among people in Africa and the Diaspora.
Goal
We aspire to create a healthier and more resilient Africa for future generations.
Objectives
- Prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Address social determinants of health and risk factors
- Strengthen health infrastructure and systems
- Improve access to essential health services
- Promote research and innovation in health
Values
Excellence – Achieving the highest quality in what we do
Compassion – We show empathy and understanding, treating everyone with dignity and courtesy
Integrity – Assuring transparent, ethical, and accountable performance
Diversity – We appreciate and acknowledge our differences
Equality – Embracing the dignity and diversity of individuals, groups and countries
Governing Bodies
Health Congress
The Health Congress is the supreme governing authority of the Organisation and meets every five years to determine its general policies. The Congress also serves as a forum for the interchange of information and ideas relating to the prevention of disease; the preservation, promotion and restoration of mental and physical health; and the advancement of socio-medical measures and facilities for the prevention and treatment of physical and mental diseases in Africa.
Health Council
The Council meets once a year in those years when the Health Congress does not meet. It acts on behalf of the Congress between sessions of the Congress
Executive Board
The Executive Board comprises nine members from different states who are elected by Congress or the Council for overlapping three-year terms. The Board meets twice a year and acts as a working party of the Congress or Council. Special meetings are convoked by the Director of the Bureau either on his/her initiative or upon request of at least three Members. The Board has an auxiliary advisory body, the Subcommittee on Programme, Budget, and Administration.
Sub Committee
The Subcommittee on Programme, Budget and Administration is an auxiliary advisory body of the Executive Board responsible for Programme, Budget and Administration aspects. It reviews and as appropriate, makes recommendations to the Executive Board in these areas. The Subcommittee consists of seven Members, four of whom have terms of office running concurrently with those of their membership on the Executive Board and three designated annually by the Director of the Bureau in consultation with the Director of the Executive Board to seek balanced and adequate geographical distribution. The Subcommittee holds at least one public session a year on dates to be decided by the Executive Committee.
AHO People
AHO People comprises the Patron, Goodwill Ambassadors, Board of Trustees, Staff and Volunteers:
Patron
Patrons are normally well-known and respected, such as celebrities and royals. They can, therefore, help lend credibility to the organisation or help you get noticed through the media.
Global Goodwill Ambassadors and Advocates
A Global Goodwill Ambassador is a person who advocates for a specific cause of AHO based on their notability. Goodwill ambassadors generally deliver goodwill or promote ideals from AHO to others or a population.
Board of Directors and Trustees
A board of directors or trustees is an appointed or elected group of individuals responsible for an organisation’s management. It is the organisation’s governing body and seeks to ensure the best interests of stakeholders in all management decisions.
The Team: Staff and Volunteers – Interns and Trainees
The AHO CEO and Director runs the organisation, developing a vision and strategic plan to guide it. AHO staff support the director, and the profiles below aim to give you an insight into how the organisation works, day by day, to improve the lives of people in Africa. Volunteers are central to AHO’s work. They deliver over 70% of AHO on the ground, directly to the community. Without volunteers, AHO will not be able to carry out its work.
Click on the button below to view AHO People >>>
AHO Basic Documents


AHO Organogram
AHO Organisational structure or chart defines how activities are directed toward the achievement of its aims
Download
AHO Flyer Sep 2020
The flyer contains a snap shot of who we are, what we do, values, mission and vision
Download




