Friends of Chogoria Hospital Newsletter November 2007
FRIENDS OF CHOGORIA HOSPITAL NEWSLETTER
November 2007
The visit last month of Jane Nyamu, Matron of Chogoria Hospital, was a very busy two weeks, centred on the Linlithgow friends who had made the visit possible. For the time spent with me, we talked Chogoria non-stop. Then Jane was able to meet many of you, friends of Chogoria, and feel the strength of Scottish support for the work in Chogoria – thewarmth and interest of which I have been so aware over the years. And I know that those of you who managed to meet her were impressed with her own warmth and quiet strength.
We all hope that these connections will continue to grow and develop.
Chogoria News
Of course Jane brought much up-to-date news of Chogoria. Did I mention before about the pace of change? …..
Hospital Director
The new Hospital Director, Dr Olembo, has resigned as from September 30th. After only seven months in post, he decided to join his wife in South Africa. So once again the top hospital post is vacant. The administrator, Mr Sendeyo is now acting Director, but since he was already on study leave to complete his MBA, he is not yet able to give full attention to the job's demands.
Clive Irvine College of Nursing
In June the Principal of the nursing school retired. The school has an excellent reputation for nurse training, so now the load of maintaining standards has fallen on the shoulders of Catherine Munene, the Deputy Principal. Having studied for her Masters in nursing in Edinburgh some years ago, Catherine had moved only a year previously from practical nursing/administration into teaching.
Medical Staffing
Dr Moses Kiama has now left to start his training in surgery – it will be five years before he returns to the hospital. Which leaves the current surgeon, Dr Ngera, very busy, as he trains another medical officer to help him – until she succeeds in finding a postgraduate training in Obstetrics. There is welcome support from the new government Provincial Medical Officer, himself a surgeon who once did a locum in Chogoria. He has promised to try and find a Paediatrician for the hospital.
Dr Mishek is the new full-time dentist, employed by the hospital. There is plenty work for him to do, and there is a real need for replacing worn-out equipment in the Dental Unit.
New Ambulance
Donated by the Ministry of Health, the new ambulance arrived in October. Once equipped (using funds raised locally) it will be well used transporting patients to and from investigations and specialist care in Nairobi or between hospitals.
HIV/AIDS Programme
This is progressing well, under a newly appointed doctor – and with a new vehicle to facilitate the work in the community. In the area of PCMT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV), the midwives continue to work with the mothers, and are pleased to report that of the last 48 babies born to HIV-positive mothers, only two are infected with HIV. So more HIV-positive mothers are encouraged not to take the risk of breast-feeding, and more support is needed for the formula-feed Nan Bank.
Urgent Needs
Jane told us of the urgent need for a new hospital incinerator, the old one having been condemned. So I was delighted to be able to hand over a cheque for £10,000 to meet this need – gifts from many of you added together. Of course there will always be other needs, for example:
· for equipment – particularly now dental equipment.
· for training – sponsoring a nurse in training is about £1000 per year
· for supplying HIV-positive mothers with Nan formula milk – this costs £60 for four months.
· For providing treated bednets to prevent malaria - £2.50 each net.
With best wishes for a happy Christmas
Dr Alison J Wilkinson
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