FORGET the three wise men and their 'precious' gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, camels are now transporting medicine to remote African communities by bearing solar-powered refrigeration units on their backs.
Convoys of camels have been kitted up with lightweight saddles each carrying a refrigeration unit full of medicine and a solar-powered generator.

Kenya's Nomadic Communities Trust (NCT), Designmatters at Art Center College of Design and Princeton University's Institute of Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM) have been working together to make the refrigeration transport project a reality.

Medicines requiring refrigeration can be transported through rough terrains to the desired destination where the solar power generator is used to power clinics.

The project is currently being tested out in isolated areas of Ethiopia, Laikipia, Samburu and Kenya . Mariana Amatullo, executive director of Designmatters, said:'If the necessary funding is provided, this innovative project could be fully implemented by 2010'.