25-27 - Back in Kenya - Heading West and Molo Hospital

It is the rainy season in Kenya so the half hour drive from the airport took 2 hr due to floods and jams even though it was after 11pm!!. So far there are over 40,000 displaced people and over 40 dead due to the floods. Where I live we are at the top of the valleys so apart from the odd landslide and cut electricity line due to falling trees we have been relatively unscathed.

I was back home in Kandara for 2 nights to unpack, do my hand washing and then pack again before travelling out to west Kenya to visit 4 volunteers and see more of this beautiful country. First was a trip to Molo an hour or so west of Nakuru to see Dr Bob an excellent Paediatrician who is helping at Molo District Hospital. Bob was on his last week before leaving Kenya so I just caught him. At 4.30 after arrival chai and cake I was privileged to accompany Bob on his rounds. The maternity ward was first. This comprised a single room with about 12 beds mostly full, people only stay in a couple of days as they have to pay per day. There were 3 ladies going through the last throws of contractions, one lady in delivery and one very small new born (arrived at 2pm) in the one and only incubator. He had “some black gunk” still in his kidneys that normally exits at birth but was partially remaining this was causing some concern and was the main reason for Bob’s return. I watched Bob smoothly carry out his checks but the worried look on his face told me all was not well. An hour later the decision was made to transfer him to Nakuru District Hosptial where they have better facilities to deal with where this tiny chaps condition as going. There then followed a further hour and a half delay whilst the parents rustled up the £20 for the transfer etc. I offered to pay but Bob said had many times been told not to as it distorts things and you cannot do it for all. This was torture as we could see the readings on the machine deteriorating as the delay progressed. Eventually all was resolved and later feedback said all was well a few days later. By this point the first lady in delivery was finished but the 3 that had been in contractions were all delivering at the same time. Only one nurse and an auxiliary on duty over night!! Luckily I did not get roped in as I would have probably fainted anyway J

The children’s ward was very full sometimes with two patients per bed but the staff again worked miracles with extremely limited resources. Bob treated one boy with excess fluid in his head that was putting pressure on his brain. The first two drug options were not available luckily the 4^th option was. (two days later the report again was that all is well). It was striking however that whenever Bob opened a cupboard for drugs and other equipment how limited the stocks were and how quickly essential items might run out. We might complain about the NHS but you only have to experience this and you will appreciate what the UK has a lot more. Apologies to Dr Bob and any medically minded people for my descriptions and possible inaccuracies in the terminology but I have tried my best to get it right J.