Kenya: Lodwar District Hospital Support

Medical Equipment
During this quarter, RMF continued its strong support of Lodwar County & Referral Hospital (LCRH) by supplying the hospital’s departments with needed medical supplies:

• The Pediatric department received blood giving sets, insulin syringes, catheters, and cannulas.
• Other departments that received new equipment include the Maternity ward, Occupational Therapy ward, and Physiotherapy department.

Medical Supplies
Continuing its emphasis on pediatric support, RMF purchased comprehensive medical supplies for the Pediatric ward. Emergency drugs that are never supplied by KEMSA have continued to be supplied by RMF/MMI for the pediatric patients. Drugs including Ranferon syrup, Calcimax syrup, Vancomycin injection, fluconazole infusion, Ranferon suspension, and Frusemide injection were purchased. Silver sulfasalazine (burn cream), Supirocin ointment, and KLY jelly were also procured for the Pediatric and Maternity departments, respectively. Before these drugs were provided by RMF/MMI, patients were asked to purchase them from local clinics, and many patients could not afford to do so. The constant supply of these essential drugs and many others has gone a long way in benefitting the pediatric patients and ensuring that the Pediatric ward continues to register low mortality numbers.

Non-Pharmaceutical Supplies
As always, to support the entire hospital, RMF continues to purchase non-pharmaceutical supplies. Nonpharmaceuticals purchased include glucometer strips, gauze rolls, strapping adhesives, granular gauges, gloves, surgical spirit, examination gloves, crepe bandages, and paraffin gauze, among other essential non-pharmaceuticals. These non-pharmaceuticals are not only important in the day-to-day running of the hospital, but also in the case of emergencies with urgent needs, such as traffic accidents, and when the hospital is in a crisis because of many patients needing care at the same time, when large amounts of non-pharmaceuticals are required.

Livelihood Project
Inadequate nutrition has been identified as the main health concern in the care of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kenya, as it compromises the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and further weakens the immune system. To address this severe difficulty faced by some of the most vulnerable patients at Lodwar County & Referral Hospital (formerly Lodwar District Hospital), RMF has initiated a greenhouse farming project for food-insecure and vulnerable families and HIV-positive community members and their families. The project targets 150 households, primarily those of HIV-positive women and mothers of childbearing age who seek treatment at Lodwar County & Referral Hospital. Construction of a greenhouse is underway on a secure plot near the hospital, and we are assembling a team comprised of a nutritionist, agricultural officer, and select business people who will train and help motivate program participants to implement good nutrition, farming practices, and business management.