DAY 3 Delivering Healthcare in the Heart of Maasai Land with Kenswed Hospital Ambulance
On the third day in Kenya, our journey with the Kenswed Hospital Ambulance and medical team led us on a 45-minute drive to Maasai land, despite the challenging road conditions caused by heavy rain. Our outreach mission was met with a mix of hurdles and heartwarming moments as we sought to provide essential healthcare services to this remote community.
We met with the Pastor and elders of the village, and they assisted us in setting up the clinic. Setting up our makeshift clinic, we offered a range of services, from antenatal care to child welfare clinics. Despite the difficulties, the turnout was significant, particularly among children whose births were the result of advanced maternal age or fertility treatments, many of whom are patients of Kenswed Hospital.
During these clinics, we not only administered vaccinations but also arranged follow-up appointments to ensure ongoing care. Our commitment was evident as we returned for the third time to Maasai land, where approximately 50 villagers awaited our assistance.
One poignant encounter involved a 19-week-old girl, weighing only 5.1kg, whose mother had faithfully attended antenatal sessions at Kenswed. We provided necessary vaccinations and initiated maternal health check-ups, stressing the importance of continued medical supervision. Similarly, a 10-week-old baby boy, weighing 5.92kg, received his first set of vaccinations, marking the beginning of his healthcare journey with Kenswed.
Another infant, born significantly underweight at 2.4kg but now thriving at 14 weeks, exemplified the progress achievable through attentive medical care.
Our outreach extended beyond infants, addressing the healthcare needs of all ages. Notably, a 74-year-old man sought treatment for chest complications, reflecting the diverse health issues prevalent in the community. Despite limited resources, we endeavoured to alleviate his symptoms, mindful of the challenges posed by his remote location and financial constraints.
The word of our clinic spread through community elders and local pastors, highlighting the crucial role of grassroots networks in reaching marginalised populations. Yet, amidst the success stories, we also encountered sobering realities, such as the challenges faced by a 94-year-old man battling hypertension and struggling with access to specialised care who is a regular at the clinics visits; he has been advised to return to the hospital for ongoing care but due to age and living so remote these ongoing visits might never materialise so he relied on the Kenswed teams return.
Particularly striking was the case of a pregnant mother on the verge of delivery, emphasising the urgency of accessible and comprehensive maternal care. She walked close to 5km with her husband and two other children to reach the clinic. The ambulance became the makeshift clinic where Alice, our trained Nurse and Midwife, did an examination. Esther, our Lab Technician, drew blood and conducted a roadside test, using Blood Grouping reagents to identify the blood type. The test procedure is based on the agglutination principle, where red cells possessing the typing antigen agglutinate in the presence of the corresponding antibody in the testing reagent indicating the presence of the tested antigen.
As the day drew to a close, we treated a variety of ailments, ranging from tonsillitis to stomachaches, illustrating the broad spectrum of healthcare needs within the community.
Despite the obstacles, our dedication to delivering healthcare with compassion and commitment remains steadfast. Whether administering vaccines or providing palliative relief, each interaction reaffirms our mission to serve those most in need, transcending barriers of distance and circumstance.