We had just finished dinner when we noticed there was a commotion at the clinic. A matatu (a vehicle that is used as a local taxi) came tearing into the compound bringing three critical patients that had just been in a horrible accident involving a piki (which is a motorcycle) and another matatu. Our medical staff began converging in the waiting from around the compound. There was shouting, blood, moaning and lots of chaos.
The first patient suffered an open fracture of the lower leg with multiple lacerations. Our second patients suffered multiple lacerations and a possible fractured femur. The piki driver was the most critical. He had fractured ribs, wrist, and pelvis. Our team went into immediate action stabilizing, suturing, splinting, and providing support. Our non-medical staff were amazing as they comforted, prayed, and kept the patients calm.
Normally in these situations we run out of power rapidly. Many times in the past we have had traumas where we were working by flashlight. BUT this night was different. Earlier that day, we had just completed the installation of our new generator made possible by donations from our partners in the US. With the flick of a switch, we were running our generator that was providing lighting in all rooms of the clinic simultaneously. We had enough power to last for over 6 hours as we work feverishly to save their lives.
You cannot imagine how this is revolutionizing our work here. We can run our lab equipment. We have a new solar refrigerator for vaccinations. We can attend critical patients and laboring mothers without worrying whether we will have enough light. We can deliver babies without turning out the lights to conserve them for the actual birth. WE HAVE LIGHT! That night I went back to my house and cried. We were given an extraordinary gift.
Our story doesn’t end there. We were able to save two of the patients. The piki driver became unstable and even our best attempts with mouth-to-mouth and CPR, he died. I tell you this because the reality is that we do face life and death situations each day. Some days we win and others we don’t. However, from this particular tragedy power testimonies are being shared throughout the region.
The next day, a brother of the young man who died arrived in Ngoswani. He wanted to come and personally thank us. He said the family wanted to tell the Muzungu doctor thank you because they heard how hard she worked to save his life. Even to the point of breathing breath into him.
A few days later, one of our staff was getting into another matatu and she heard the men talking about the “mamas” in Ngoswani and how they must love the Masai because they even tried to push air into the man who stopped breathing.
Sure, we hate that a young life was cut so short. But we rejoice that he knew the Lord, prayed with Linda and, that we had the privilege of being there in the final minutes of his life.
The first patient suffered an open fracture of the lower leg with multiple lacerations. Our second patients suffered multiple lacerations and a possible fractured femur. The piki driver was the most critical. He had fractured ribs, wrist, and pelvis. Our team went into immediate action stabilizing, suturing, splinting, and providing support. Our non-medical staff were amazing as they comforted, prayed, and kept the patients calm.
Normally in these situations we run out of power rapidly. Many times in the past we have had traumas where we were working by flashlight. BUT this night was different. Earlier that day, we had just completed the installation of our new generator made possible by donations from our partners in the US. With the flick of a switch, we were running our generator that was providing lighting in all rooms of the clinic simultaneously. We had enough power to last for over 6 hours as we work feverishly to save their lives.
You cannot imagine how this is revolutionizing our work here. We can run our lab equipment. We have a new solar refrigerator for vaccinations. We can attend critical patients and laboring mothers without worrying whether we will have enough light. We can deliver babies without turning out the lights to conserve them for the actual birth. WE HAVE LIGHT! That night I went back to my house and cried. We were given an extraordinary gift.
Our story doesn’t end there. We were able to save two of the patients. The piki driver became unstable and even our best attempts with mouth-to-mouth and CPR, he died. I tell you this because the reality is that we do face life and death situations each day. Some days we win and others we don’t. However, from this particular tragedy power testimonies are being shared throughout the region.
The next day, a brother of the young man who died arrived in Ngoswani. He wanted to come and personally thank us. He said the family wanted to tell the Muzungu doctor thank you because they heard how hard she worked to save his life. Even to the point of breathing breath into him.
A few days later, one of our staff was getting into another matatu and she heard the men talking about the “mamas” in Ngoswani and how they must love the Masai because they even tried to push air into the man who stopped breathing.
Sure, we hate that a young life was cut so short. But we rejoice that he knew the Lord, prayed with Linda and, that we had the privilege of being there in the final minutes of his life.
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