A medical colleague who has recently returned from completing a training programme in the UK commented on how it was the first country she has worked in where the above title was not true. It is a reminder of how challenging it can be to receive appropriate medical care in so many parts of the world.
Wario is a good example of this. Shortly before Christmas a friend working in northern Kenya contacted us about this young man. He’d had a wound on his leg for over a year, but due to poor access to healthcare in his region and low funds, he had been unable to get any good treatment.
Looking ahead to hope
Kijabe Hospital
The hospital was established in 1915 as a small outpatient clinic within the grounds of AIM’s boarding school, Rift Valley Academy. It was originally named Theodora Hospital, but later renamed AIC Kijabe Hospital.
AIC Kijabe Hospital is a faith-based hospital sponsored by the Africa Inland Church (AIC) Kenya. It is situated about an hour’s drive from Nairobi towards Nakuru. The hospital has experienced tremendous growth and change over the years. It is the largest of the five hospitals sponsored by the Africa Inland Church.
Kijabe Hospital’s mission is to ‘Glorify God through compassionate healthcare provision, training and spiritual ministry in Christ Jesus’. It has nine operating theatres, modern intensive care units (ICU), and dental and laboratory/pathology units. The Aids relief unit provides free outpatient HIV/Aids care and runs two satellite clinics.
It was decided that we would fly him to Kijabe hospital for definitive treatment, but unfortunately he was unable to pay for his care. His family did what they could, but with droughts wiping out most of their livestock during the last year there was no way they could settle his bill. We are thankful that generous people from both the UK and the US stepped in to support this man and that he was able to be successfully treated and go home healed. Many others visiting Kijabe Hospital are not so fortunate. On a daily basis we see people who have suffered because of their inability to pay for medical care, and despite Kijabe Hospital’s policy of never sending a patient away with a life-threatening condition, we equally do not have unlimited resources. As healthcare providers we continue to serve and share Christ’s love whilst always longing for the day when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.
