The journey to Kenya by the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) group stands as a remarkable example of international collaboration and humanitarian efforts in healthcare. Over a series of seven meticulously planned monthly meetings, a diverse team of volunteers, including M3 students, physicians, and community volunteers, devoted their time to preparing for the medical mission that took place this past January. The students spent time learning about Maasai culture, the historical context of the region they were about to serve, and the pressing medical needs of the local communities. This preparatory phase was not only essential for logistical planning but also for ensuring that the services provided would be culturally sensitive and precisely tailored to the needs of the local population.
The collaborative nature of this endeavor was further amplified through partnerships with several humanitarian organizations already established in southern Kenya. This synergy between the Rocky Vista University and local entities such as the Hands for Health Foundation, Entepesi Kenya Foundation, Kilimanjaro Mission Hospital, and the Health Department of Kajiado County was pivotal. The presence of members from each organization on-site every day facilitated a seamless integration of efforts and resources, thereby maximizing the impact of the healthcare services offered. The comprehensive range of services provided, including a full pharmacy, point-of-care testing, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), full nursing, women’s health, and nutrition services to name a few.
The success of the trip is measurable not only in the over 1,500 patients who received care but also in the nature of the care itself—comprehensive, culturally informed, and free of charge, thanks to the fundraising efforts of all participants. This mission exemplifies the profound impact that well-coordinated, compassionate healthcare initiatives can have on under-resourced communities. Moreover, it highlights the invaluable learning experience and the spirit of global citizenship fostered among the volunteers, setting a commendable precedent for future humanitarian missions.
KMH IS COMMITTED TO TRAINING AND EDUCATION
KMH's commitment to training and education plays a significant role in enhancing the overall health of the community. Recently our staff did a health talk and first aid training for the staff of the Kenya Wildlife Service at Amboseli National Park.
As of November 2023 our board has finalized the cost of building a much-needed maternity and surgery center for the many needs of this community at an amazing cost of $850,000.00. We are asking and seeking for continued donations and new donors to help us keep up the good works being done. We pray that this will be started and completed very soon as many lives can be spared with this new facility.
Watch this short video to find out more about how KMH began and where we are heading with our future plans.
Patient Chronicles
It was the end of a typical day at Kilimanjaro Mission Hospital. Walk-ins, rechecks, immunizations. Five-thirty PM. Many of the staff had left for home. After-hour staff preparing to leave, when a patient on a piki-pik (motorcycle) pulled up frantically seeking medical care. The passenger on the back had been cutting logs with a chain saw when it slipped and cut into his left knee. Bleeding was controlled. Meanwhile, another piki-pik pulled up with a lady who was very uncomfortable, complaining of a bug in her ear. Ashley, a volunteer from Arizona, was called over from the near-by mission housing. She was recently trained in video assisted ear examination. “Oh, a patient”, she explained. The bug in the ear was easily removed and another satisfied customer. Now, back to the chainsaw patient. The wound was explored and irrigated with saline and betadine. We immediately realized that this injury would require surgery which KMH is not currently able to do. The wound was loosely sutured by Yara, a volunteer nurse practitioner from Florida. In the mean time, Dr. Ken was preparing the patient for a transfer to a hospital with surgical operating rooms.
The following evening at about the same time, after most of the staff had left for home, a car pulled up to the hospital with a very concerned driver who had picked a young man off the road after crashing his motorcycle. He had not been wearing his helmet and had landed on his head resulting in a large hematoma to the scalp and several facial lacerations. Since there was loss of consciousness we were concerned about an intracranial bleed. Our excellent nursing and physician team wasted no time in treating this patient. Tess, KMH RN, started the IV Manitol to help prevent swelling in the brain. Keilee, another volunteer from Florida performed wound care while her mother, Yara, sutured the facial lacerations. Again, Dr Ken arranged transport to a larger facility which had a CT scan available.
We have had several children present to KMH rural clinics who have been affected by Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects muscle tone and coordination. Some of the causes can occur at birth when decreased oxygen levels can affect the brain. By providing good maternal health care, we can reduce morbidity and mortality in the infants and children of rural Kenya.
We are blessed and honored to have such a wonderful facility to be able to serve people in need. Thank you to our volunteers and students for being there to serve.
Donation Tax Receipt
To simplify our bookkeeping process, we have switched from sending out donation statements with each donation to just a year end donation statement. If for any reason you need quarterly statements, please let us know. You can email us at info@kilimanjaromissionhsopital.org.
Thank you for your continued support in the operation of KMH!