Thanks to a very generous donation from some friends of the hospital, our labor and delivery area is in the early stages of a major upgrade! So far we have received new labor and delivery beds and some bili lights. Tiling of the floor and walls, a new gyne exam bed, new lights, and other upgrades are coming. Previously, the beds on labor and delivery were just cots - no ability to break down the bed for delivery, no stirrups (well, one bed out of four had stirrups, but they didn't work), covered with rust, no siderails. We received four brand new beds which are much more comfortable for both the patient and the delivering provider. Remember that in Kenya, only 44% of deliveries are attended by a skilled provider. That doesn't mean 44% of deliveries are in a hospital where monitoring or c-section are available, just that someone has received training on maternal and neonatal care, and should have some knowledge of how to refer to a hospital if necessary. Our upgrades will allow us to take better care of our patients and hopefully will draw more patients in to receive skilled care.
This is labor and delivery! New curtains are also planned - we think we'll be able to afford some better hooks (these are bent wire clothes hangers)
Our nurse midwives are excited about sitting down and having good visualization for their repairs!
I swear, I did not ask Dominic to sit this way. He just jumped up on the bed and assumed the position!
I am so thankful for the generous donation that made this upgrade possible. Stay tuned for more pictures as we continue to make upgrades.
Kim
