Gerties News Issue 60 | Dec. 2016

Gertrude’s News

GERTRUDE’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BIDS FAREWELL TO ITS LONG SERVING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital is the most established paediatric hospital in East and Central Africa. The hospital provides healthcare to children in Nairobi and its environs as well as those referred from all over Kenya and neighbouring countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and of late Southern Sudan. In addition to the one hundred bed facility at Muthaiga, the hospital runs a network of twelve outpatient facilities and operates twenty one specialist clinics.

With great regret the Board of Trustees of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital announces the departure of Chief Executive Gordon Otieno Odundo who has been appointed to a similar role at The Nairobi Hospital. The Board is very grateful for his 17 years of exemplary service, 13 of which as CEO. During his tenure the hospital experienced tremendous growth and expansion of services including the opening of Satellite Clinics, construction of a new outpatient facility at the Muthaiga campus, the construction of the Chandaria Medical Centre which houses the expanded intensive care unit, the establishment of the Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research, and a 1,077% growth in patient numbers.

OFFICIAL GERTRUDE’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr Alec Davis, gives a token of appreciation to the outgoing CEO Mr Gordon Odundo for his 17 years of exemplary service, 13 of which as CEO.

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activities and progress. We are happy to report that all our services at our Doonholm Clinic have now been moved to a new, more spacious, and modern building. The new facility provides for more parking space, spacious waiting areas, a dental clinic, and a radiology unit. Through support from the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, there is ongoing expansion of free healthcare services to low income populations in Nairobi with 30,000 beneficiaries now enrolled into the program. Our new Audiology service is having a positive impact on children’s lives. Twenty children have now been fitted with hearing aids and receiving ongoing supportive care to improve their hearing and speech.

The Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research enrolled its first class for the Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (KRCHN) program. A total of 31 students sat the Nursing Council exam, 25 for Paediatric Critical Care Nursing Course, and 6 for Paediatric Nursing Course. The hospital was reappointed as an examination center for the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate (IPPC) course offered in conjunction with the University of Sidney. The hospital’s annual open e-tender was successfully advertised and processed.

May I, take this early opportunity, on behalf of the entire Gerties fraternity, thank all our clients and partners for your continued support in the year 2016 and wish you a Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous 2017.

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To mark Gordon’s departure events were held for external stakeholders including suppliers, customers, consultants and other members of the medical industry at the DusitD2 Hotel and also for staff in a celebration at the hospital grounds. Gordon’s contribution was commended by various speakers. In his remarks, the Board Chairman, Alec Davis, expressed the Board’s great appreciation for Gordon’s contribution during his tenure at the hospital.

During his last speech to the staff, Mr. Odundo said that while it was not easy for him to leave, the new appointment gave him opportunity to grow. “This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. Leaving the place where I have been for the last 17 years. Everybody here has been like a family member to me. Since I joined Gerties, I developed a conviction to serve the children of this country and I worked tirelessly to see that children receive quality healthcare. It is so hard to leave, but it is time I accept new challenges,” said Mr. Odundo.

On Gordon’s departure the Head of Outpatient Services, Dr Robert Nyarango, was appointed as CEO through competitive recruitment done by a professional recruiting agency. In his speech, Dr Nyarango promised to continue with the trend that had taken route thanks to Mr. Odundo and even take it a notch higher.

Chacho Kids Festival 2016

The Kids festival is an event organized by laugh industry targeting to offer fun and talent activities to children. Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital was among the sponsors for this year’s event which was hosted at the Carnivore grounds on 3rd September 2016. The event’s theme was “learning and fun edition”. The Hospital provided first aid and ambulance services during the event.

The event kicked off at 9 am with various activities that kept the kids entertained. Gerties team interacted with approximately 3000 visitors who among other things got to know about the hospital’s services. The climax of the event was a mega concert hosted by “Churchill” with performances by local gospel artists and renowned comedians as well as talented kids.

Kids enjoying the fun at the Chacho Kids Festival 2016

Fire Safety Training

In line with applicable regulations and the hospital Facility Management and Safety Program, all Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital employees were trained on fire safety. The training which was conducted by the Facility Management and Safety (FMS) team incorporated both theory and practical sessions on both fire prevention and emergency response to a fire incident.

At the end of the training all employees were able to demonstrate how to use firefighting equipment and more importantly how to take care of themselves, patients and visitors during a fire incident. The training is carried out annually and supported by ongoing fire safety drills that are coordinated by the fire marshals.

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital joined the rest of Kenyans on Saturday 9th July 2016 to take part in the annual Kenya diabetes walk. The walk was organized by the Diabetes Management & Information Centre (DMI Centre) in partnership with Safaricom. The walk targeted to raise Sh17 million, up from 15.8 million raised the previous year. The walk started and ended at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi. Later, participants were treated to entertainment by various local artists as well as testimonies from some of the beneficiaries of the kitty.

In Mombasa, the ministry of Health in partnership with Safaricom held a similar walk at Haller Park Mombasa. Gertrude’s Mombasa Clinic was part of the larger crowd that turned out to take part in the coastal edition.

Speaking before the start of the walk, the Diabetes Management Centre director Eva Muchemi said the main aim of the walk was to create awareness and raise money for children living with diabetes and require insulin. “We still have a large number of people dying every year from diabetes-related complications. This is largely because of the wide gap between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis,” she said.

According to Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Head of Clinical Services Dr Thomas Ngwiri, there is an estimated 5,000 children with type 1 diabetes in Kenya, most of who die before diagnosis.

The walk takes place at a time when the country has been recording increased cases of diabetes especially among children as young as 4 months. A report by International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2014 further states that Kenya recorded 775,200 new cases of diabetes in 2014 alone.

LEFT: Participants of the 2016 Kenya diabetes walk Nairobi edition turn up in numbers, RIGHT: Gertrude’s Mombasa Clinic staff offer first aid services to participants of the Mombasa edition.

Annual Gerties Fun Day2016

The annual staff fun and team building event was held on August 26, 2016 at the Barclays Sports Club. A total of 472 staff attended the event. The event which is held annually brings together staff from all the hospital facilities and provides an opportunity to mingle, bond, unwind, interact and share experiences.

The day’s events included fun activities and games including football, dancing, obstacle races and a tug of war. This year’s event also incorporated a wellness program that provided medical check up to participants, and nutritional and lifestyle counseling with the aim of reducing and managing non-communicable diseases.

The participants of the 2016 Gerties Wacky - Olympics fun day in a warm up session.

The God of Abraham and Adam Nasio

The Maasai community is a unique and popular tribe due to its long preserved culture. Despite education, civilization and western cultural influences, the Maasai have preserved their traditional way of life, making them a symbol of Kenyan culture.

Majority of maasai people in the rural areas practice nomadic pastoralism, while others have been absorbed into modern day jobs working in tourism where they showcase their culture to visiting tourists. Others have shifted gears and are now practising farming.

28 years old Rose Nasio from Lenjali village, Narok County is one of those practising farming. Married to Philemon, also a farmer, they have been blessed with 5 children. Among the children are Abraham and Adam Nasio their last born twins aged 2 weeks. When Rose was 1 month pregnant, she got ill and was unable to feed herself. After two months, her health deteriorated because she never sought medical assistance due to unavailability of proper health institutions in the area. Four months later, Rose suffered severe abdominal pain forcing her to seek medical intervention.

On 20th June 2016, Rose started experiencing labour pains while still at home. Her husband and one of her sisters-in-law came to help her. She safely delivered the first baby, Abraham while still at home but did not know that there was still another baby. At this

point, they were forced to call a medical officer from Narok town to come to her rescue. The medical officer helped her to deliver her second child, Adam. After 3 days, they noticed that baby Abraham could not pass stool.

It is at this point, that they were referred to Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital. After quick arrangements, the two babies were airlifted to Gertrude’s Muthaiga. Baby Abraham was immediately taken in to theatre and had an operation done successfully. Both children were underweight at the birth with Abraham weighing 1048gms while Adam weighed only 948gms. They were incubated for some time with doctors and nurses providing ongoing care.

Rose was delighted and immediately called her husband to give him the good news on Abraham’s health. She asked him to prepare for the medical bill only to be told that the bill was already covered by the hospital through its foundation. Moreover, the hospital also donated some clothes to the babies.

Rose could not hide her joy, “I am deeply happy and humbled for all this. What appears big to us is such a small thing to God. I almost gave up when the doctor in Narok said that there was nothing he could do to help Abraham. But Gertrude’s gave me hope that Abraham is going to be okay. And it is actually free of charge. God bless you.”

LEFT: Babies Abraham and Adam Nasio in the incubator at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital.

RIGHT: Rose Nasio receives the donated clothes from the hospital management.

Pictorial

Dr Manu Chandaria (2nd R) with part of his extended family when they visited the hospital’s Chandaria medical wing.

Kusum Chandlal (L) presents one of her paint ings she donated to the hospital.

Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation chairman, Mr Les Baillie (L) with the outgoing CEO Mr Gordon Odundo (R).

Incoming CEO Dr Robert Nyarango (L) shares a light moment with the outgoing CEO Mr Gordon Odundo (R).

Admitting Doctors Association chairman, Dr Edwin Rono (L) with Dr Sanjeev Sharma (R) during the CEO’s farewell at DusitD2 Hotel.

A section of the invited partners following proceedings at the event.

Peter Ngori signing the visitors book accompanied by his wife during the event

The hospital management as well as the organising team for the CEO’s farewell at DusitD2 Hotel in Nairobi

These glamorous looking ladies ensured the guest were comfortable during the party.

Catherine Gitonga (L), Priscilla Tuwei (2nd R) and Rhoda Mwatela (R) of housekeeping had a special gift to Mr Gordon Odundo.

With 12 Outpatient clinics and two outreach clinics opened under his tenure, managers of these outlets gave something matching his achievements.

Having opened the first Gertrude’s clinic at the coastal town of Mombasa, a present such as this would be a memorable one especially handed by Mombasa clinic manager, Edwin Barine (R).

Pictorial

It was meant to be a joyful exit and truly it turned out to be one as Mr Gordon Odundo enjoyed every bit including the dance.

The staff union representatives made sure that his support for them did not go unrewarded.

Hernia Repair

A. What is hernia?

A hernia forms when the abdominal wall weakens, bulges, or tears. The inner lining of the abdomen and small intestine can poke out of this weakened area. A hernia repair is a surgery to push the abdominal material back where it belongs and to repair the abdominal wall. At times the stomach may protrude into the chest cavity. This is called hiatus hernia. A hernia around the umbilicus is called umbilical hernia while those around the groin are called inguinal hernias.

B. Why is Hernia repair done?

Hernia repair is done to prevent the hernia from becoming strangulated. A strangulated hernia is one where the hernia is trapped and blood supply to it has been cut off. This leads to the death of the tissue affected.

C. How is it done?

Before the procedure, a detailed physical examination will be done. Blood tests may also be done. Hernia repair is usually done under general anaesthesia. Regional anaesthesia may be used in some instances. An incision is made over the hernia site. The hernia will be moved back into the abdominal cavity. In the case of hiatus hernia, the stomach is moved from the chest cavity back down to the abdominal cavity. For some, the weakened muscles that allowed the hernia to develop are sewn together. At times, if the weakened area is large or in the groin, a piece of mesh will be placed over the area to create a new wall. If a mesh is used, the muscle is not sewn together. The incision will be closed with stitches or staples.

D. Possible complications of hernia repair

Complications may arise from the general anaesthesia or the surgery itself. These may include side effects of the medications or damage to neighbouring organs or structures such as, intestines or bladder and infection and bleeding. Detailed assessment shall be done so as to ensure that one is fit to undergo hernia repair surgery to minimize the risk of complications occurring. Written consent is required to authorize the surgery after understanding the need, benefits and risks of the procedure.

E. Risks of not undergoing hernia repair

The risk of not undergoing hernia repair surgery varies from patient to patient and the doctor will explain the specific risk to you. Strangulation of the hernia is a major risk of not undergoing hernia repair and can lead to death.

F. What happens after hernia repair?

After the procedure, your child will be required not to do strenuous activity for about 8 weeks. You will be shown how to take care of the incision site. Follow up visits will be planned so as to monitor the progress of healing. You will be advised on what danger signs to look out for while the child is recuperating at home.

G. Alternative to hernia repair

In a majority of instances, surgery is the only definitive treatment for hernia. If there is no strangulation, the surgery may be delayed for some time until one is ready. The longer the delay, the higher the chances of strangulation occurring. It is highly encouraged that you ask any question you may have regarding hernia repair surgery. You may also request for a second opinion regarding hernia repair at any point. This would not in any way negatively impact the quality of care you receive.

Embakasi Clinic: 0731 333 301

Komorock Clinic:0720 939 357

Nairobi West: 0710 200 081

Thika Clinic: 0736 520 083

Thika Road Mall: 0700 718 910

Ruaraka Methodist Primary School

Barely months after it opened its doors along Thika Super Highway, Gertrude’s Thika Road Mall Clinic has continued to generate positive impact and is rapidly making its presence felt in the area. On Saturday 1st October, 2016, the clinic’s staff led by their manager, Felicity Kamundi, participated in a marathon to raise funds towards purchasing a school bus at Ruaraka Methodist church. Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital provided first aid and ambulance services.

Deliverance Church - Doonholm Medical Camp

Gertrude’s Doonholm Clinic took part in a medical camp that was held at Deliverance Church-Doonholm on the 24th and 25th September 2016.

A total of 1250 people were seen of whom 602 were children. The hospital staff provided preventive and curative care. They also set up a blood donor centre and managed to get 20 units of blood from church members. This was made possible by the hospital foundation.

97Th Coast Open Golf Tournament

Gertrude’s Mombasa Clinic participated in this year’s Coast Open Golf Tournament held on Saturday 30th July 2016 at Mombasa Golf Club. The volunteer team offered first aid services to the participating golfers, caddies, staff and members of Mombasa Golf Club.

Speaking to different departmental heads and senior staff, Gertrude’s Mombasa Clinic manager, Edwin Barine thanked the staff for volunteering their time to provide the services.

Ack Marathon

Gertrude’s Komarock staff participated at the Ruai mara thon on 17th September 2016. This was part of the unit’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Event was to raise funds to build a home for the El derly. The hospital staff provided first aid and ambulance services.

Social Responsibility

Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation 26th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

The 26th edition of Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation annual charity golf tournament was held on Friday 9th September, 2016 at the Muthaiga Golf Club. Parit Mehta of Phillips Pharmaceuticals Limited emerged the overall winner with a total of 40 points stable ford. He was closely followed by Ashish Shah with a convincing 38 points. Navin Savla rounded off the top three positions with an emphatic 35 point mark. Lydia Obonyo was the lady winner with a total of 31 points with Sheena Roundtunner taking home the Longest Drive in the ladies category.

Through the generous contributions of individual and corporate organizations, many needy children have benefited from treatment that they would otherwise not have been able to afford. Last year’s Nairobi and Mombasa Golf Tournaments helped raise Kshs. 7.4 million, which went towards the treatment of many needy children who received free treatment at the hospital. Our mission is to provide the best available healthcare services to needy and disadvantaged children in Kenya and the East Africa region through the integration of care, research, education and technology.

The money raised from this year’s annual charity golf tournament will be used to provide care to children with neurodevelopmental conditions most of which are congenital and require long term care.

Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation Chairman, Mr Les Baillie awards the winner of the 26th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Mr Parit Mehta.

The

The Admitting Doctors Association held its annual meeting on Friday 23rd September 2016. The meeting was held at Best Western Hotel and saw a large number of its members turn out for the evening gathering. The meeting consisted of Paediatrician’s, Anaesthetists, Surgeons and all other specialists granted practice priviledges at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital as well as the hospital management.

The aim of the meeting was to deliberate on how to enhance and uphold the quality of service offered by the hospital. The meeting also doubled up as a farewell ceremony in honour of Mr Gordon Odundo who had worked closely with the practitioners.

The body also makes recommendations to the trustees and the administration on issues such as granting admitting rights to applicants, and also monitors the consultants’ practice at the hospital.

Section of the members of the Admitting Doctors Association as well as the hopsital management team during the Admitting Doctors Association meeting at Best Western Hotel in Nairobi.

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Annual Strategy Conference 2016/17

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees and the entire management held a one day strategy meeting at Windsor Country Club to review the performance of the year 2015/16 as well as review plans for the financial year 2016/2017.

The meeting kicked off with opening Remarks by the chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Alec Davis. The CEO Dr Robert Nyarango then highlighted on the changing environment in the healthcare industry and the appropriate steps the hospital was taking to maintain competitive advantage. Heads of departments including the outpatient department, the inpatient department, the clinical services, human resource department, information services, finance and shared services, quality and patient safety as well as the hospital foundation department made presentations of their annual plans.

Mr. Ambrose Lugho, NHIF Director Operations & Quality Assurance, gave the key note address in which he outlined the vision and progress of NHIF towards providing universal healthcare. He also discussed areas in which the hospital could partner with NHIF.

Key notable achievements for the financial year ended 2015/16 included opening of the 12th clinic at Thika Road Mall, outpatient activity growth, opening of the Audiology Centre as well as introduction of the open heart surgery program. Other significant achievements included the reduction in mortality rates, full migration to electronic health record and the accreditation of the hospital by the Resuscitation Council of UK to provide resuscitation training.

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees and Management team led by the Chairman, Mr Alec Davis, pose for a group photo during the Annual strategy Conference held at The Windsor Country Club on Friday 23rd September 2016