Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to nursing?
A: I graduated with a diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing in 2017 and have worked in various hospitals across Kenya. My inspiration for nursing began in childhood. My mother was frequently hospitalized, so I spent much of my childhood observing nurses care for her. I have also been positively influenced by my aunt and cousin who are nurses in Massachusetts.
Q: What motivated you to start providing wound care to rural communities?
A: My interest in wound care developed while working in an orthopedics ward at Kenyatta National Hospital and grew at Kangema Sub County Hospital, located in rural central Kenya. I noticed a significant need for quality wound management in rural areas. My goal was to improve access to medical care, prevent hospital readmissions, and empower patients through health education and proper care.
Q: How do you plan your visits, and what challenges do you face?
A: I schedule my trips every 2-3 days to ensure consistent dressing changes. The main challenges I encounter in the rural communities are power outages which lead to difficulty in communication with patients, poor infrastructure and waste management, and lack of running water.
Q: Could you describe a memorable experience from your visits?
A: There are many. I had a patient once say to me “God bless you and may you live long to touch and reach many souls”. Mostly, I feel a sense of pride when I see patients smiling as their conditions improve. Many of my patients are bedridden with chronic wounds, but with timely wound dressing, wound care education, diet management, and proper hygiene, they are now able to walk and work.
Q: How does education feature in your patient visits, and have you introduced any new methods?
A: Health education is pivotal in my visits, focusing on teaching patients about wound care, diet, and lifestyle changes. This empowers them to actively participate in their health care.
We’ve recently introduced group therapy sessions, collaborating with a psychiatric nurse and psychologist, to bring patients with chronic wounds together. These bi-weekly sessions allow patients to share experiences, offer support, and learn about wound management collectively. It’s about creating a community of support and enhancing patient education on chronic wound care.
Q: Can you discuss challenging cases you’ve encountered?
A: Certainly, I’ve encountered several challenging situations, such as:
- An immunocompromised patient with HIV/AIDS and diabetes, also undergoing chemotherapy. Their low immunity leads to delayed wound healing and a higher risk of infections.
Patients with chronic venous ulcers, where the cost of treatment is a significant barrier, hindering the healing process- Cases of complex non-healing wounds that are large and produce excessive exudate. These require thorough reassessment, sometimes including swabs or imaging, which can be financially burdensome for patients.
- The high cost and limited accessibility of advanced wound dressing materials, which can be prohibitive for many patients, although there are less effective, cheaper options.
- The logistical challenges of reaching patients’ homes, often through poor road networks, which can lead to frequent vehicle breakdowns.
- Patient compliance issues, where despite giving instructions on basic care, some patients do not follow them, worsening their conditions.
Patients with chronic venous ulcers, where the cost of treatment is a significant barrier, hindering the healing processQ: How has eKare’s support impacted your initiative?
A: eKare’s support has been transformative, providing financial assistance, wound care supplies, and the inSight technology for digital wound data capture. This has enabled more accurate and efficient care, allowing us to monitor healing and tailor treatments effectively.
Q: What are your future goals for this initiative?
A: With continued support of this initiative, I aim to expand the reach to ensure more communities have access to specialized wound care and to train community health volunteers in basic wound care for sustainability.
Q: How can people support or get involved in your mission?
A: Support can come through donations, volunteering, or financial contributions to cover logistical costs. Raising awareness about the healthcare needs of rural communities in Kenya is also vital.
Q: What message do you have for healthcare professionals interested in similar initiatives?
A: The impact of reaching out to underserved communities is immense. It requires dedication and resilience, but the rewards, in terms of lives touched and changed, are beyond measure.
Q: How do you stay motivated despite the challenges?
A: My motivation comes from the gratitude, smiles, and improved health of the patients I care for. Knowing I’m making a tangible difference keeps me going, no matter the challenges.
Watch: Introducing Kelvin Njogu Maina
Read: Uniting to Advance Wound Care in Kenya
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