Save lives in Kenya with stronger trauma care

Thank you so much for your support of this life saving project.  We have a very exciting update for you from Carolyne Chepngetich, Health Programme Coordinator.

Huge strides have been made towards completing the trauma care building since our last report. The laying of a driveway and parking area and the construction of the base for the water tanks is finished. Rainwater harvested from the roof will be stored in five 6,000 litre and one 10,000 litre water tanks.

The solar hot water system and storage tanks have been installed and the installation of the solar panels for a solar power system is complete. These installations are more than infrastructure—they are lifelines. Clean water. Reliable power. Hot water for emergency care. And crucially, significant savings on electricity bills, freeing up funds to tackle the hospital’s many challenges.  To everyone who made this possible—Asante Sana.

Other ongoing works include the completion of the covered walkways connecting the trauma centre to other departments in the hospital, the installation of an oxygen pipeline network and the procurement of equipment.

Once operational, the solar hot water system will substantially reduce electricity expenses and ensure a reliable, consistent supply of hot water throughout the facility. The Solar panels also provides sustainable electricity ensuring uninterrupted power for life-saving medical equipment such as defibrillators, oxygen concentrators and monitors

Providing the hospital staff team with the skills, resources and confidence to handle trauma cases is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing preventable deaths. Four  health care workers from Londiani Sub County Hospital attended a 3-day Wilderness First Aid Training in May which was delivered by Response Med company in partnership with Brighter Communities Worldwide. The topics covered in the course include; The Prehospital Environment, Scene Management, Airway Management, Management of Unconscious Patient, Circulation & Shock, General bone/Joint Injuries (Fracture management), Illness, Bites & Stings and Practical Scenarios.

The health care workers, Emmanuel from Physiotherapy and Winny, Kevin & Maureen from Orthopaedic department, appreciated the opportunity to train on this topic. They were able to learn how to use a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and Stretch, Wrap & Truck Tourniquet (SWAT) to control bleeding on traumatic cases. They also learned how to use the Automated External Machine (AED), how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) effectively, moving trapped casualties from accident scenes and managing a choked casualty. After the training, the trained staff gave presentation on Compound fracture, Sprain and Strain during Continuous Medical Education (CME).

Your donations are hugely appreciated to support providing the Trauma Centre with equipment including defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, bedside monitors, beds, emergency trolleys, stretchers, wheelchairs, drip stands, IT infrastructure and more.

On Wednesday, July 16, we’re inviting you to go further with us and have your generosity matched.

For 24 hours only, all donations of $100 or more will be matched through GlobalGiving’s July Bonus Day.

Even more: The higher your donation, the higher the match — and you increase our chances of unlocking up to $1,200 in bonus prizes. That’s funding that will help support the fit out of the Trauma centre, at a time when your generosity means more than ever.

Matching begins at 3pm Irish Time/5pm Kenyan time/10 am EDT on Wednesday, July 16, and lasts for 24 hours.

Thank you for your part in making this project a reality.

Thank you so much for your donation to this project to provide essential trauma care services at Londiani Sub-County hospital.  This update comes from Carolyne Chepngetich, Health coordinator with Brighter Communities Worldwide.

The build itself is at the ‘snagging list’ stage now.  And outside, the next task is laying covered walkways to link the centre to the main hospital, operating theatre, wards and radiology department. 

The hospital staff team are planning ahead and looking forward to further capacity development on trauma care and recruitment for extra staff. The type of trauma cases they typically look after in the hospital include head injuries due to falls, most often connected to road accidents.  They also see many burns and cut wounds.

Providing the hospital staff team with the skills, resources and confidence to handle trauma cases is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing preventable deaths. Training includes - Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) which provide healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to assess, stabilise and mange critically injured patients particularly during the “Golden Hour”; train-the trainers programme where selected healthcare professionals become ATLS trainers and Continuous Medical Education (CME) to provide ongoing learning opportunities, updates on trauma care protocols, resuscitation techniques and case reviews.

Inside the Trauma Centre, is a modern, open-plan design tailored to the needs of trauma care. The facility will include: 10 patient beds; a minor theatre facility to address life-threatening injuries quickly; a nursing and medical station; storage facilities; ambulance bay; handwashing stations and bathrooms.

Solar panels will be installed to provide sustainable electricity ensuring uninterrupted power for life-saving medical equipment such as defibrillators, oxygen concentrators and monitors.

Rainwater will be harvested through a system of gutters and storage tanks to collect and store rainwater providing a consistent and eco-friendly water supply for the centre’s operational needs.

Dr. Collins Kipkoech, the Medical Superintendent at the hospital, told Carolyne he is looking forward to the completion and operationalisation of the increasing number of  trauma cases presenting at the facility. In December there were a high volume of road traffic accidents involving passenger vehicles and motorbikes and those injured were taken care of at the hospital.  Having a dedicated space to treat these patients will be life changing for both patients and staff.

Your donations are hugely appreciated to support providing the Trauma Centre with equipment including defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, bedside monitors, beds, emergency trolleys, stretchers, wheelchairs, drip stands, IT infrastructure and more.

Mark your calendars!   All donations up to €50 will be matched at 50% between March 25^th and 28^th during the GlobalGiving Little by Little campaign.