Gerties News Issue 65 | June 2022

As part of the integrated national effort, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital continues to make a good contribution towards the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital has provided PCR COVID-19 testing to more than 40,000 clients, administered over 15,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and provided care to a number of patients.

We have recently commissioned a new outpatient facility at the Sarit Centre to cater for clients in the larger Westlands area, Lower Kabete, and estates along Waiyaki Way. We have also relocated the Kitengela outpatient facility to a bigger and more customer-friendly facility at the Kitengela Mall.

The hospital maintains a critical focus on the quality and safety of care provided and to this end, the hospital was re-accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) in April 2021.

The JCI accreditation remains the internationally accepted gold standard for assessment and accreditation of healthcare delivery.

We thank all our members of staff for their excellent professionalism and commitment to meet the needs of our customers, especially during the challenging times of Covid-19. We also thank all our partners and customers for the excellent level of cooperation and support during this period.

Robert.

Dr. Robert Nyarango CEO

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital

Re-Accredited By The Joint Commission International (JCI)

We, at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, are delighted that our hospital has once again been accredited internationally for its high quality and safety standards. We are most pleased that all our sixteen facilities – the hospital in Muthaiga and each outpatient (satellite) clinic – have been independently audited and accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), USA. Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital is currently the only children’s hospital in Sub – Saharan Africa that is JCI accredited.

1. What is JCI accreditation?

The Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation is the internationally recognized gold standard for healthcare quality and safety. The accreditation confirms that The Joint Commission, USA, the world’s most trusted authority in healthcare quality and safety, applying the most stringent world-class standards, has independently

evaluated and verified that Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital meets international healthcare quality and safety standards.

There are less than 1,000 organizations accredited by JCI outside the United States of America. Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital is the first and currently the only, children’s hospital in Sub –Saharan Africa that is JCI accredited.

Staff at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Muthaiga pose with the JCI Certificate

3. Why seek out a JCI-Accredited Hospital?

When you choose a health care organization that is JCI-accredited, you are assured of receiving care from a leading health care organization whose quality and safety has been independently confirmed using the most rigorous and internation ally accepted benchmark.

4. What does JCI Accreditation Gold Standard Mean?

A health care organization that has met JCI’s exacting standards is allowed to display the Gold Seal of Approval® as a sign of this distinctive accomplishment.

So, when you are looking for a world-class health care organization, look for the JCI Gold Seal like the one on the left.

5. How many Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital facilities are JCI accredited.

All sixteen of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital facilities as listed below – the hospital in Muthaiga and each outpatient (satellite) clinic – have been audited and accredited by JCI.

The accreditation confirms that the Joint Commission International, USA, the world’s most trusted authority in healthcare quality and safety, applying the most stringent worldclass standards, has independently evaluated, and verified that Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital meets international healthcare quality and safety standards.

1)

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Muthaiga Road, Tel: 0709529000 2) Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Lavington Clinic, Lavington. Tel: 0709529002 3)

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Donholm Clinic, Donholm. Tel: 0709529003 4) Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Nairobi West Clinic, T – Mall. Tel: 0709529004 5) Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Pangani Clinic, Juja Road. Tel: 0709529005

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Embakasi Clinic, Embakasi: 0709529006

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Komarock Clinic, Komarock. Tel: 0709529007

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Kitengela Clinic. Tel: 0709529008

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Rongai Clinic, Ongata Rongai. Tel: 0709529009

Children’s Hospital, Thika Clinic, Thika Town. Tel: 0709529010

NEWS Effective Response to Covid-19

The GCH leadership team observe as Dr. Chary Sidhanti gets her Covid-19 Vaccine when the initiative was launched at Muthaiga main hospital.

Kenya reported its first Covid-19 case on March 12, 2020.

That first case was the beginning of the journey in the fight against Covid-19. The president ordered travel restrictions, directed people to work from home and sanctioned curfew hours across the coun try, which applied to everyone except essential service workers.

With these developments, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has led the way through the formulation of key initiatives which included workforce wellbeing, clinical management, molecular diagnostics, as well as functioning as a Covid-19 vaccination site. In this difficult period, the hospital has put the staff first.

Risk assessments have been completed for those at greater risk, enabling us to take reasonable steps to protect our staff. Precautionary measures including

pre-screening for all staff and visitors, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene were adopted early in the pandemic.

In October 2020, we set up a molecular diagnostic laboratory which is designed to detect an active infection with SARS-Cov-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, in addition to other high-threat infectious diseases. The hospital has conducted over 33,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and over 3,000 Rapid Antigen tests as of August 2021.

The Hospital has isolation zones, ready patient transportation vehicles and adequate critical care nursing capacity.

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With effect from March 2021 Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has been a Ministry of Health-designated vaccination site. Through this collaboration, over 34,000 doses of different vaccine types have been administered to eligible population groups as regularly updated by the Ministry as of August 2021.

The Hospital has also partnered with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), in a program approved by the Ministry of Health, to extend vaccination to qualifying individuals registered by its members. We have shared the criteria for vaccination with the public and requested everybody to encourage as many people as possible who meet the criteria to take the vaccine.

This is done through a strict appointment system.

Whereas vaccination provides good protection from severe disease and death, it does not eliminate the need for the highest level of infection control. Those vaccinated can still get infected by Covid-19, can spread the virus, and can fall ill to the point of hospitalization.

Even when vaccinated, we encourage everyone to apply the required Covid-19 procedures. Our individual and collective safety depends on how well we implement the required infection control protocols as individuals.

With these developments, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has led the way through the formulation of key initiatives which included workforce wellbeing, clinical management, molecular diagnostics, as well as functioning as a Covid-19 vaccination site.

CEO, Dr Robert Nyarango receives his Covid-19 jab.

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Bringing Paediatric care closer with

New Medical Centres

Welcome to Westlands Clinic at the Sarit Centre

Westlands clinic opened its doors to the public on 7th December 2020. Located at the Sarit Centre, 2nd floor, this conveniently allows easy access for clients from Westlands, Parklands and Waiyaki Way areas.

The clinic offers both Paediatric Outpatient and Well Baby services, including specialist clinics such as Dermatology, Chest, ENT, Gastroenterology, Allergy, Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, and Haematology (Sickle Cell) as well as family dental services.

On 6th September 2021, the Kitengela clinic migrated from its old site at M&K Arcade to a new, custom fitted, ultra-modern site on the 3rd Floor of Kitengela Mall, off the Nairobi-Namanga Highway.

This relocation allows the clinic to maximize on its trajectory as one of the clinics with the fastest growing client base within our network.

The new space has a modern and elegant but child-friendly look, which we are sure will bring a smile to our clients in Kitengela and beyond. A dental clinic has been added to the service menu to ensure that it is a truly one-stop health facility.

Hope as Jeremy gets heart surgery at Gertrude’s.

You wouldn’t tell what Lorraine has been through just by looking at her. She is youthful and beautiful – not a strain on her dark, 39-year-old face. The policeman’s wife and mother of three is nursing her youngest child, while her two older boys play around the corridor of her humble but neat flat in Huruma Estate, Nairobi.

Her gaze rises as she glances subconsciously at a plaque on the wall: “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4.

For Lorraine, those words are not just a Bible verse - they are a prayer that rang true in her darkest hour, ending the cloud of fear and anxiety that had hung over her family for years. Jeremy, her eldest son, 11, was as typical as they come when he was born. Normal weight, normal height. At the age of two, he unexpectedly started stagnating. He lost appetite and became weak.

“I took him to a local dispensary. They gave him a cough syrup, but he remained weak. He couldn’t play,” she says. “Later, I took him to a Catholic clinic, and after an X-ray and other tests were conducted, I was referred to Mama Lucy Hospital.”

Her ‘mother’s’ instinct intimated to her that some thing was off about her son’s heart. His heartbeat

was too strong.

When blood tests came negative, she was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital, where a cardiologist established that the blood pressure in her son’s heart was too high. He recommended more blood tests and prescribed treatment for tuberculosis and pneumonia.

“By then, Jeremy was four years old. The treatment lasted three months and then he became fine. He was eating well, playing and was at a healthy weight. I felt the tension ease off my shoulders,” she says.

In March 2020, when Jeremy was nine, the problem recurred. Jeremy was then old enough to explain exactly how he felt then. It is harrowing to imagine going through what he describes in one statement. “I would sleep and feel the pillow vibrating. My chest was swollen,” he says.

Jeremy is a beneficiary of the Free Cardiac Surgery Initiative funded and supported by Gertrude’s Children’s Hopsital and Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation.

His weight stagnated once more, he became weak and had a cough that persisted for days. Constantly fatigued and sleepy, his schoolwork suffered. Women in the neighbourhood started whispering among themselves that Jeremy was suffering from chira – a curse.

“That was nonsense,” his mother says of the rumours, her voice incredulous. She ignored them, dug in her heels and focused on finding a solution, despite being strapped for cash.

“I went to NHIF with my heart in my mouth. To my surprise, they said they would foot Sh1.2 million of the Sh1.5 million bill. I was so touched when Gertrude’s told me they would foot the balance of the bill,” Lorraine says.

She remembers the Wednesday morning when her boy was wheeled into theatre for the seven-hour surgery like it was yesterday. Dr Mark, who conducted the surgery, had explained every step of the procedure to her and had even taken her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), so she wasn’t afraid.

“Dr Mark explained it with a smile, like the whole thing was the easiest procedure in the world. It made me calm and confident, but I still couldn’t help walking into the prayer room to pray for my son,” she recalls.

Jeremy spent a couple of days in the ICU and was discharged a week later. The doctors told Lorraine to feed him well, ensure he was relaxed and did not lift heavy loads. Within a month, he was fine and running all over the place.

“We are a humble family. I am a driver, and my husband is a junior police officer. I knew we couldn’t afford Gertrude’s Children Hospital, but with a mother’s firm resolve, I took my husband’s National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), held my son’s hand, and set off. I was determined to get him to the best hospital for children in Kenya.”

To her shock, she was checked in using the NHIF card and her son was quickly admitted for investigations, where Dr Akech quickly established that Jeremy had a hole in his heart and recom mended immediate surgery.

Both Jeremy, who enjoyed playing at the hospital and says the nurses were nice, and his mother, have fond memories of Gertrude’s. “They were very caring. They explained everything to me and made me feel so at home – like I was one of them - a colleague,” she says.

The family home overlooks Mathare North slum. Jeremy stands on the corridor, watching a military helicopter descending into the nearby Moi Military Air Base. The renewed brightness of his future is reflected by the gleam in his eyes. He now knows that his dreams of being a pilot are now closer to reality than ever.

“Her ‘mother’s’ instinct told her that something was off about her son’s heart.

His heartbeat was too strong. ”

“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4

Re-Accredited By The Joint Commission International (JCI)

MUTHAIGA LAVINGTON CLINIC

DOONHOLM CLINIC NAIROBI WEST CLINIC

PANGANI CLINIC EMBAKASI CLINIC

NEWS - PHOTO GALLERY

KOMAROCK CLINIC KITENGELA CLINIC

RONGAI CLINIC THIKA CLINIC

MOMBASA CLINIC BURUBURU CLINIC

TRM CLINIC WESTLANDS CLINIC

JUNCTION CLINIC SYOKIMAU CLINIC

How I conquered Covid-19

Then the doctor

Two days later, the results were out: I was positive. I had imagined that I would take whatever result popped out of the labarotory in good spirit, but the reality of the diagnosis hit me like a ton of bricks. I was confused and shocked. I told her, “Okay, fine,” but I was not okay! I went back to my workstation, changed out of my uniform, told my colleague that I had been given sick leave and

I wasn’t myself. I was completely lost in thought, turning over various morbid scenarios in my head. “It is over,” I whispered to myself. “My family, my children – gone.” Such was my confusion and shock that I was almost knocked down by a matatu while crossing the road to my house after alighting at the

One morning, EMILY CHEPKAKA started coughing.

The moment I stepped into the house, I received a call from our CEO inquiring whether I was okay and whether I had arrived home safely. It was a moving and touching gesture. That, however, didn’t stop me from breaking into tears when I set my eyes on my daughter.

She was at home when I got into the house and tears just started streaming down my face. On seeing that, she tried to hug me but I stopped her, telling her that she needed to stay away from me because I was sick with Covid-19. “Mum, don’t tell me that,” she cried. “If you are going to die, I will die with you.”

As you can imagine, we were both crying our hearts out by then! Despite that, I vehemently told her to stay away from me. “I am going to isolate in that room. You will be bringing whatever I need to the door, but you must not enter the room,” I said.

It was all downhill from that moment. I had no appetite and within two days, I had lost six kilos. I was very weak. I shared what I was going through with a friend from church, and she really encouraged me. My pastor called and prayed for me, as did my colleagues and our CEO, who assured me not to hesitate to call if I felt that I needed hospitalization. My elder brother, who is retired, was in tears. Poor man!

The whole thing was so depressing that I had reached a point where I even considered writing my will. I was in a dark place, gripped by fear of the unknown. I recall giving my daughter the phone number of our head of HR and told her to call him in case of anything.

My friends and colleagues were very supportive. They gave me a lot of encouragement. I learnt that it doesn’t help to keep an ailment of this nature to yourself - share it with people. Be positive and active. Try to exercise. Don’t just stay in bed feeling sorry for yourself. Get up, do something.

After 14 days, I went for a check-up and the doctor said that I was doing well. Seven days later, the hospital called and said I could resume duty. Understandably, I faced a bit of stigma because people feared being close to me. But all is well now. All through, my daughter was a shining light. Her love and care gave me hope and strength and uplifted my spirit, as did the regular calls I received from the CEO.

Gertrude’s is a fine place to work. The management is very caring. The way they looked after me and other staff irrespective of rank made me feel really cared for. I am very thankful. Contracting Covid-19 is not the end of the world. If you get it, don’t be afraid. Don’t hide. Be bold.

Australian High Commissioner Visit

Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, HE Mr. Luke Williams and his wife paid a courtesy visit to Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, where they met the hospital CEO, Dr Robert Nyarango, to discuss possible partnership opportunities to enhance paediatric healthcare delivery.

The Best Private Hospital of Choice

We are delighted to have been recognized as the Best Private Hospital of Choice during the 2nd Quality Healthcare Kenyan Awards 2021. We continue to offer excellent, high quality healthcare to children, innovate and positively contribute to the Kenyan health sector.

Paediatric Endocrinology Graduation

The Paediatric Endocrinology Training Centre for Africa (PETCA) program had 3 students in session and they had been conducting online classes with their tutors since the onset of Covid-19. They finally graduated on September 3, 2021.

Congratulations to Dr Abidemi Owa (Nigeria), Dr Menbere Kahssay (Ethiopia) and Dr Effiong Okon (Nigeria).

Tononoka Signs MOU with Gertrude’s

Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation has partnered with Tononoka Group to support the operations of the Githogoro outreach clinic. Tononoka Group will contribute Kshs 2.4 million over the next one year to support the outreach clinic, which provides high quality medical services at subsidized rates to the informal settlements of Githogoro and its environs. The clinic attends to over 50 patients per day.