Virhembe Community Nursing Home (Hospital), Kenya

Hello .... I am Jayne and was fortunate enough to tour some of Kenya earlier this year. During a visit to Kakamega Forest our guide was a lovely man called Gabriel Musundi. After walking through the forest Gabriel took us to a nearby village, Idakho South, where he is the Director of a small hospital providing a range of services for approximately 16,300 people.

My friends and I were 'blown away' by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers (there was a class full of adolescent boys attending a presentation about HIV/Aids - on a Saturday!).

The hospital gets no government funding. Almost all finance comes from the medical insurance that approximately 95% of the people have.

A recent visit from the government health inspectors recommended the replacement of many hospital beds and other equipment - as a result the hospital was forced to close its doors to all except those who could pay by cash.

I raised some funds with which we were able to order (and have delivered) two hospital beds but more is needed if the hospital is to continue to provide the services below for the community.

Services Offered at Virhembe Nursing Home (Level 3 Facility)

♦ Outpatient Services: Diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses, minor injuries, and follow-up care for chronic conditions.

♦ Maternal and Child Health (MCH): Antenatal care (ANC), delivery services, postnatal care, immunizations, and child welfare clinics.

♦ Family Planning Services: Access to various contraceptive methods and reproductive health education.

♦ Laboratory Services: Basic diagnostic services including malaria tests, HIV testing and counseling (HTS), urinalysis, haemoglobin tests, and pregnancy tests.

♦ Pharmacy Services: Access to essential drugs and pharmaceutical consultations.

♦ Immunization Services: Routine childhood immunizations as per the national immunization schedule.

♦ HIV Care and Treatment: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), and ART referrals.

♦ Health Education and Promotion: Community health talks, health days, and targeted outreach programs.

♦ Referral Services: Coordination with higher-level facilities for cases requiring advanced care.

With rapidly growing populations in the region there are increasing health service needs and it is essential that this hospital is able to continue to support its community for years to come.

Urgent Needs:

To purchase three beds for the Paediatric ward

Vastly improve and increase drug stock

Relocate Records and Pharmacy

Repair and improve the Maternity ward

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ACHIEVE THIS FOR THIS AMAZING LITTLE HOSPITAL