One of our interns, Kara, has been sick off and on for the last three weeks. She tested positive for Malaria and was put on medication to clear it up. The medication worked and we had our feisty and energetic Kara back with us. She was well for a few days but began feeling ill again with the same exact symptoms she had with the malaria. We began treating her again with the same medication but she was not getting well. At a BBQ we attended one of the missionary’s told us about a doctor in a community 20 minutes from Kitale that had an American doctor who heads up the clinic. When Kara did not feel better the next morning we decided to take her to see this doctor.
She felt so ill during the visit she had to lay down the whole time and the doctor was concerned about her illness. The decision was made to admit her to the hospital which is attached to the clinic. It is run by the Catholics and is nothing like the other hospitals we have seen. Although this hospital is definitely “Kenyan” it is clean, well stocked, and quiet. They staff has been very attentive and the treatment has begun. She is on an IV which she gets medication in every eight hours. The drip lasts for four hours; she has four hours off and is back on for another four hours.
Some items that even private hospitals do not provide are: toilet paper, soap, food, water, a nurse call button, TV’s, comfortable chairs, beds for visitors staying in the rooms with patients, and water that turns off in the sink.
For me, I am having a first time experience. I am spending the night with Kara in the Kenyan hospital. There are so many unknowns that face us tonight but we will endure together! I am privileged to be able to be with her and care for her while she is ill. I feel safe and I feel confident in the care she is getting.
The total hospital bill was 2,300ksh. This included blood tests, medication, IV drip, doctor visit and two days in the hospital. $30.00 USD. I guess we can provide our own toilet paper and soap!
