KNH NEWSLINE ED 18 2020

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

NEWSLINE We Listen, We Care

Issue 18.

09/10/2020

The CEO’s helping hand

Meet Jane Malenya, who has worked as CEO’s secretary for two decades and counting…

By Dave Opiyo

W

hen I informed Mrs. Jane Malenya of my intention to feature her on Newsline, the Kenyatta National Hospital’s inhouse publication, her response was classic.

“Are you sure?” she posed. “Yes,” I answered. With a wide trademark smile on her face, she curtly replied: “Ok. Let me just finish what I’m doing then I’ll call you shortly.”

And true to her word, the call came through in less than 20 minutes. She was ready for the interview. I invited her to the Marketing and Communication’s office and she gladly came.

“This is indeed an honor.

I have worked at Kenyatta National Hospital for so many years. It, however, never occurred to me that I would appear in this publication,” she says. “I’m truly happy.”

Mrs. Malenya’s love affair with KNH began in 1984 when she was employed and posted to the Health Information department as a Secretary.

Kenyatta National Hospital

Even though this was not her dream job per se, she nonetheless took it in her stride. She has never looked back since.

Her ambition was to be a radio presenter. But as fate would have it, this was never to be.

“All I wanted was to be on radio and broadcast in Kiswahili. But God had other plans for me,” says Mrs Malenya, who attended Islamia Primary School in Nairobi and sat her CPE exams in 1970, before proceeding to Don Bosco Secondary School.

“I was fortunate to join the Government Secretarial college where I horned my

1.

current skills. After my graduation, I was posted to the Ministry of Health.

I worked for a week before being deployed to KNH where I have been to date,” she explains.

She spent her first 15 years at the Health Information department before being moved to Planning.

The experience gained in the two departments, she says, prepared her for her toughest assignment yet – which she has expertly and professionally handled for the last 20 years and counting - that of being the CEO’s secretary.

Mrs. Malenya says when she was first approached to take up the position, it sounded like a dream to her.

“I was first approached by the then Human Resource boss Mrs. Itambo Maimuna who broke the news to me.

She told me that the then Director – Dr. Hosea Waweru, wanted to give me the job. I could not believe it. I did not sleep that day. I never dreamt of working in that office but now an opportunity had presented itself. I took it in my stride,” she says.

She believes that she was offered the opportunity because of her excellent work at the Health Information department.

Working in the CEO’s office, she says, is a tough job. “Each day is different…but you have to remain focused…eyes on the ball at all times – either good or bad, tough or easy, the key is staying positive

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke at all times,” says Mrs. Malenya who has served under 10 chief executive officers.

“You meet all types of people – from the high and mighty to the common mwananchi, all seeking services. You have to treat them the same,” she says.

Mrs. Malenya describes her boss – KNH CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri as a tough but friendly boss.

“I’m sure under his leadership, the hospital will soar to greater heights.

He is a boss who always wants the job done…he is a friend, a very good boss to work with, only if you do your work well…he is a good boss,” she adds.

Her advice to the youth – “If you want to succeed in your workplace, love your job.”

Mrs. Malenya in her office.

Gone but not forgotten …breaking the silence on pregnancy and infant loss

By Verah Mugambi When a child loses his parent, he/ she is called an orphan. When a spouse loses his or her partner, he or she is known as a widow or widower.

How then do we call a parent who loses his child? There isn’t a word to describe them…..

Every year the world celebrates the National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Week on October 9 to 15.

The celebrations are aimed at honoring the lives lost through miscarriage, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs), stillbirth, the death of a newborn, and more.

Ms. Wanjiru Kihusa, the founder of ‘Still a Mum’, a lobby group was helping the Newsline team understand this situation by sharing her journey and understand. So I would experience of losing two advise people to talk less children – one a stillbirth and just offer a shoulder to at 20 weeks and another lean on,” she says.

- miscarriage at 8 weeks While child loss may - being diagnosed with be a more common blocked tubes, and now occurrence than people with a 3-year-old son think, millions of mothers whom they call their and fathers do not know miracle baby. where to turn for grieving “Losing a child is support. the most painful “The loss of an infant unbearable is devastating and experience unfortunately many ever.

Until families know the you have grief of pregnancy lost one, Ms. Rose Njoroge, a loss and infant you cannot Counseling Psychologist at KNH death,” says t r u l y

Kenyatta National Hospital

2.

Ms. Wanjiru.

“Do not rush people in their grief; grief is different for every single person and there are so many factors involved during the grieving process,” she goes on.

“So on this pregnancy and infant loss awareness week, if you have a loved one who has experienced this loss, take the time to give them the love and support needed to process and recover. People going through grief need a lot of follow-ups and a lot of love” added Wanjiru.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25 percent of all clinically

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke recognized pregnancies will end in early pregnancy loss.

Pregnancy loss and infant death may include miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or the death of a newborn.

Early pregnancy loss is the most common type of loss. When a fetal death occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is called a stillbirth.

These tragic deaths occur in about 1 in 160 pregnancies. Sadly, these are deeply painful experiences that many families face daily, but they receive little support.

Ms. Rose Njoroge, a Counselor at Kenyatta National Hospital says such parents need support all through the grieving process and after especially if they conceive again.

“It may be hard to talk about, but the more open we are; the better we can serve bereaved parents. The most common fear of parents is what if it happens again during the next pregnancy?” says Ms. Njoroge.

Signs and symptoms of a miscarriage may include: Vaginal spotting or bleeding (color can range from pink, to

red, to brown), tissue or fluid passing from the vagina.

Cramps, a blood-clot, abdominal pain, or back pain, and a decrease in signs of pregnancy, such as loss of breast sensitivity or nausea.

The most common symptom is vaginal bleeding or spotting, with or without cramps; this bleeding may occur very early in pregnancy even before one misses a menstrual period and know that you are pregnant or it may occur later after you know you are pregnant.

Hope for patients with rare disease

By Linnette Leyi Samuel Mwanzia Mumo, 7, suffers from a rare disease called Hunter’s Syndrome.

His mother, mama Nancy Mwanzia is extremely worried. She has already lost two of her children, all boys, to the disease.

To make the matters worse, the Mwanzia’s extended family has already lost 12 boys to the same condition. They all died before the age of 15 years.

In an interview with Newsline, Mama Mwanzia vividly recounts her experience with the rare disease.

“I have two perfectly healthy daughters. But I got worried when one of my sons started exhibiting very familiar symptoms. They were similar to ones that had claimed the lives of two of my sons,” she said.

“I decided to bring my son to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. We approached Dr. Lucy Mungai, a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and Diabetologist. It was then that the disease was finally diagnosed.”

What exactly is the Hunters Syndrome also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II)? This is a storage disorder in which large sugar molecules (glycosaminoglycans or GAGs) build up in body tissues.

This means that young Samuel was born without the enzyme known as Dr. Lucy Mungai

Kenyatta National Hospital

Nancy Mwanzia and her son Samuel Mwanzia during their weekly clinic

Iduronate-2-sulfatase that breaks these sugars. It is an X-linked inherited condition hence it only affects boys.

In the absence of this enzyme, GAGs are deposited in tissues and organs like the lungs, blood, liver heart, brain, respiratory system, and skeletal system. When these sugars start accumulating, the patient experiences a variety of health problems.

Signs and symptoms Hunter’s syndrome can present in mild and severe forms. Most of the affected children are born looking normal and healthy at birth and experience a period of normal development, followed by a decline in physical and/or mental function.

As the condition progresses, it may affect appearance; physical abilities; organ and system functioning; and, in most cases, the ability to learn. Early in the disease, the child presents with ear infections, running nose, colds, and abdominal hernia.

As more sugar molecules accumulate, there is a change in the physical appearances of affected children that include a distinctive coarseness in the features of the face.

They may have an enlarged abdomen, a prominent forehead, a flattened nasal bridge, and an enlarged tongue.

They may also have a large head.

For children with a severe form of MPS II, the signs and symptoms can be picked and a diagnosis made between the ages of 18 and 36 months while in milder cases, the diagnosis

3.

can be made between the ages of 4 and 8 years.

The child may have thickened walls of the airway leading to obstructive airway disease and as the spleen and liver enlarge with time, the abdomen may become distended, making hernias more noticeable.

They have joint stiffness leading to limited movements and finger and thumb involvement leads to decreased ability to pick up small objects.

Accumulation of sugar molecules in the brain can lead to delayed development with subsequent intellectual disability and progressive loss of function.

When the hip and knee joint get involved, walking becomes increasingly difficult. The nerves and muscles at the wrist joint may become trapped which further decreases the function of the hand.

The affected bones themselves may result in short stature. The affected children may have pebble-like, ivorycolored skin lesions on the upper arms, legs, and upper back. These skin lesions are considered diagnostic for the disease.

With early diagnosis and treatment, fatal complications are stalled and the patient can live a good quality life. Master Samuel has presented early signs of skeletal and some heart enlargement and if nothing is done his case will become fatal.

Treatment options for the disease are enzyme replacement therapy, bone marrow, stem cell transplantation, and gene editing therapy.

Fortunately, Dr. Lucy and the team applied for enzyme replacement treatment for Samuel and Centogenean international company that focuses on rare diseases-has agreed to freely supply the treatment, through Kenyatta National Hospital, for life or till the government will be able to take care of him. The treatment would have cost the patient KSh 400,000 per month.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

Reliable Oxygen facility at KNH Othaya - a boost to Mount Kenya region

By Julius Ita And Chris Mwiti Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital- Othaya will now have reliable access to oxygen following the installation of a Bulk Liquid Oxygen tank at the facility.

The facility, unveiled on October 9, 2020 by Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi, will ensure the smooth running and operation of the Intensive Care Unit and New Born Unit, especially for patients needing ventilation.

The facility, with capacity of 3,323 litres, has a pipeline extended to a manifold, and will serve the entire 350 bed capacity hospital. The facility was set up jointly by the Amref Health Africa and the Rockefeller Foundation at a cost of sh7m.

Dr Mwangangi said the facility will ensure a constant supply of Oxygen to all ventilators in the hospital. “ This facility will ensure people in the Central region and beyond live healthy lives. Kenyatta National Hospital and its partners have done a fantastic job KNH Board Chair George Ooko stressed on the importance of the facility.

“We want to say Asante sana to the Rockerfeller Foundation, the Ministry of Health, Amref and all the partners

KNH CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri takes Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi for a tour of the Bulk Liquid Oxygen Tank at Kenyatta National Hospital - Othaya that have made this a success,” said Mr Ooko, while promising that a lot more development was in the pipeline at the hospital.

“We are in the process of putting up a Laundry, Mortuary and Kitchen for the hospital. That’s what we are working on at the moment. We are working hard to make this facility a fully fledged hospital,” he said.

Dr Betty Kibara from the Rockefeller Foundation said the setting up of the tank was a fulfillment of a promise made in June this year. “ This is testament that we indeed

keep our promises,” she said while stressing on the importance of partnerships in creating strong health institutions in the country. “ We therefore hope that this equipment will alleviate all the challenges in medical care in this region,” she said.

Also present were KNH’s Senior Director in charge of Corporate Services Carylus Odiang’o, KNHOthaya director Dr Patrick Muiruri, Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi amongst others.

Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, BOC MD and Dr. Betty Kibara from Rockefeller Foundation among other Hospital Management during the opening ceremony of the Bulk Liquid Oxygen tank at the facility.

Kenyatta National Hospital

4.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

KNH’s Information Centre: The one-stop-shop for customer service

By Cynthia Ruto And Moses Njomo It’s a few minutes past 11 am. The number of people seeking to visit their patients at Kenyatta National Hospital is swelling by the minute.

A long queue has formed right outside the Information and Customer Service Centre.

The Marketing and Communication staff manning the facility, together with their colleague from the Safety and Security Department are hard at work, trying to manage the numbers by allowing the only deserving cases into the facility.

It is the beginning of a long day for the staff working in the two departments but they have to work extra hard, to manage the numbers especially during these COVID 19 pandemic times.

With the strict protocols issued by the government to contain the spread of the virus still in full force, nothing is left to chance. All those being ushered into the center are under strict instructions to always have a mask on.

They are equally required to have sanitized their hands or washed them with soap and water. The guards, however, are having a difficult time ensuring social distancing is maintained, but are doing all they can to ensure this directive is followed to the letter.

But above all, they must have an invitation from the nurses manning the Wards - either via a call or SMS allowing them to visit their kin. Only one person is allowed to visit those admitted at the Tower Block.

A good number of them appear not aware of this directive and it’s upon the Customer Care officers to explain to them why the hospital took the decision.

Welcome to the Information Centre, expected to help direct human traffic and provide a one-stop-shop for all inquiries to those visiting the hospital.

There were several reasons for establishing the facility. One was that there were so many entry points to the hospital – seven to be specific.

There was also limited access to customer care desks with a high number of clients, most of whom had low literacy levels.

Kenyatta National Hospital

With the hospital being a big facility, clients, most often than not got lost amongst others.

There was, therefore, a need to establish the center – where patients and their relatives would receive feedback from the hospital. The center would also provide a waiting bay for patients and relatives to protect them from adverse weather as well as reinforce KNH as a symbol of hope.

The facility was thus setup. It has a four service point customer care desk, intercom services linked to various service areas, a baby changing and breastfeeding cabin, a caddy, a client watering point, and a handwashing sink as well as external seats and parasols.

The center has indeed been of help to many clients – Mr. Hesbon Ndungú being one of them.

Mr. Ndungu had just brought his grandfather Mr. Esbon Mburu to the hospital for treatment on August 17.

He had been referred to KNH from Murang’a District Hospital having been diagnosed with esophagus cancer. After a review by the doctors, his grandfather was admitted to ward 7D. His medical journey had just begun.

Getting access to the ward to check on his grandfather’s progress became a nightmare. He would many a time have run ins with guards as he tried to find his way in.

This is before he was advised to go to

5.

the Information Centre.

“I met an officer called Cynthia Cherono and presented my case to her. She was very kind and helpful.

She really assisted me. Following her intervention, my patient received the best care that KNH is well known for,” he says.

I’d like to appreciate those who work at the center. They are true professionals. A shin ing light amidst this pandemic.”

Mr. Jacob Simiyu, a Senior Customer Care Officer says: “Despite the circumstances, we have thrown ourselves in the line of duty and are committed to achieving the task.”

He adds, “We have fears but we must ensure our patients and staff are well catered for. We will do our jobs at the centre to the best of our abilities.”

Advantages of the Information Centre -

Easy access to information Promote a positive corporate image A better understanding of procedures and processes Reduce time on tracing services Enhance Communication Increase and encourage clients feedback Enhance the safety and security of clients

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

My Care, My Comfort

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2020

By Linnette Leyi And Sheila Murithi Palliative care improves the quality of life of caregivers and patients.

Each year, an estimated 40 million people need this care but only 14 percent of these individuals get it.

The majority of adults in need of such care have chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (38.5 percent), cancer (34 percent), chronic respiratory diseases (10.3 percent), AIDS (5.7 percent), and diabetes (4.6 percent).

Many other conditions may require palliative care, including kidney failure, chronic liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disease, dementia, congenital anomalies, and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

“Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with a life-limiting illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment, and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial, and spiritual.” Dr. Esther Nafula, HOU Pain Management, and Palliative Care Unit, KNH. She explains that the department caters for in-patients and out-patients within the hospital.

“We also treat patients with organ failure, bedsores, elderly patients with chronic pain, and dementia to mention just a few.”

“The goal is to help them cope with the pain and if we can eliminate the symptoms we do so, we also take the patients and their families through counseling to help them accept their diagnosis and attach them to support groups that help them share their experiences and Dr. Esther Nafula Wekesa HOU Pain and Palliative Care Unit KNH

Kenyatta National Hospital

Clinic 28 Pain and Palliative Care Unit Staff celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The pink hats aim to raise awareness on Pediatric Palliative Care. transform their way of living. We help them get discharged as soon as possible and transition to home-based care. It is a holistic approach,” Dr. Nafula told the Newsline.

Many patients have received assistance through clinic 28, the Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, in KNH. James Mwaura, age 20, who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma has been a patient since 2012.

He recalls his days after the diagnosis, two surgeries, and chemotherapy, they were not easy.

He was in so much pain and could not even walk and had to be carried around by his family.

“Life was hard, during my first surgery, I was just about to sit for my KCPE, and the second surgery I was going to sit for my KCSE. The doctors and nurses in the clinic were so concerned.

They took care of me and were kind,” he says.

“They gave me medication that helped me cope with my illness.

I went through physiotherapy and counseling. Right now I can walk again without help. I would like to go back to playing basketball and also take up football,” adds Mr. Mwaura.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

6.

is a day dedicated to raising the visibility of palliative care within the global community and to provide opportunities to support hospice and palliative care in the form of a unified day of action.

This day’s goals are to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of those living with a terminal diagnosis, as well as the needs of their families.

Other goals include calling attention to the need for increasing hospice and palliative care available throughout the world and raising funds to be used in supporting these services.

“This year’s theme is: “My Care, My Comfort.” It demonstrates the importance of palliative care in assisting patients to live as comfortably as possible with their illness. The focus would be to see how palliative care can be incorporated into UHC as it is more than necessary and it should be accessible to all,” states Dr. Nafula.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

Demystifying Neuroblastoma – A cancerous tumor of the early childhood.

By Verah Mugambi Neuroblastoma is cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body.

It accounts for 50 percent of all cancers in infants, statistics from the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) indicate.

The term Neuro refers to nerves, while Blastoma refers to cancer that affects immature or developing cells.

It’s a childhood cancer that is commonly found in the small glands on top of the kidneys (adrenal glands).

It can develop in the stomach, chest, neck, pelvis, and bones.

Children aged five or younger are most commonly affected.

According to Prof. W. Mwanda, a Hematologist at Kenyatta National Hospital, the younger the child, the higher the chances of succumbing if diagnosed late.

“If they are detected early, these are some of the tumors that can be controlled and it’s curable. If it is detected late, too bad because of the complications associated with such tumor”.

The average age of children when they are diagnosed is about one to two years. In rare cases, neuroblastoma is detected by ultrasound even before birth.

Neuroblastoma is rare in people over the age of 10 years. The 5-year survival rate for neuroblastoma is 81 percent. However, a child’s survival rate depends on many factors, particularly the risk grouping of the tumor.

“This is because they cannot tolerate strong medicine at that age. Neuroblastoma is the commonest type of tumor in Kenya among children,” he adds.

One of the most common signs of

neuroblastoma is a large lump or swelling in the child’s abdomen.

The child might not want to eat (which can lead to weight loss). If the child is old enough, he or she may complain of feeling full or having belly pain.

Other symptoms may include; swelling of the legs or upper chest, neck and face fatigue, loss of appetite, breathing problem or swallowing, and fever.

There may be a lump or compression of tissues in the affected area. Lump or swelling in the child’s abdomen or neck that doesn’t seem to hurt.

Some forms of neuroblastoma go away on their own, while others may require multiple treatments.

Your child’s neuroblastoma treatment options will depend on several factors; it may require surgery and chemotherapy.

The clinical behavior of neuroblastoma is highly variable, with some tumors being easily treatable, but the majority being very aggressive. The treatment of low or intermediate-risk tumors is very different from treating high-risk disease.

When a child is diagnosed with

most types of childhood cancer, including neuroblastoma, a critical part of the diagnosis is the “stage” of the disease.

The stage of the disease indicates how far the disease has spread or progressed from the site of the original tumor Stages of Neuroblastoma; Stage 1: the tumor has not spread and can be entirely removed by surgery.

Stage 2A: the tumor has not spread but cannot be removed entirely by surgery.

Stage 2B: the tumor has not spread but cannot be entirely removed by surgery. Nearby lymph nodes contain some neuroblastoma cells.

Stage 3: the tumor has begun to spread and (1) cancer cannot be removed by surgery and has crossed to the other side of the body; (2) cancer has not crossed the midline to the other side of the body except in the lymph nodes.

Stage 4: the tumor has spread to distant parts of the body such as lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, skin, liver, and/or other organs.

Stage 4S: only applicable in children under 1 year of age. Cancer has potentially spread to lymph nodes, liver, skin, and/or bone marrow but only on one side of the body. Scans must show that no more than 10% of marrow cells are tumorous and cancer has not spread to the bones.

Unfortunately, this type of cancer can relapse. Approximately half of the children who are treated for highrisk neuroblastoma and achieve an initial remission will have the disease come back. The good news is, even when it relapses it can still be cured.

Prof. Walter Mwanda HOU. Hematology dept. & Pediatric Oncology

Kenyatta National Hospital

7.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

PICTORIAL

PSC Officials who paid a courtesy call to KNH CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri to discuss an ongoing partnership.

NHIF members of staff share in cake cutting with KNH M&C Department to celebrate Customer Service Week.

DIRECTOR Nursing Service Ms. Judith Mugambi receives Phototherapy lights donation from Center for Public Health and Development (CPHD).

Members of the public assembled for Cancer screening in KNH- Othaya

KNH Lead Auditors at Kenya School Of Law during training week.

Mrs. Christine Musee, Deputy Chief Nurse receiving a donation of 10 foot-operated sanitizer dispensers from Mr. Maina Kibugi, HR-Manager Pipe Manufacturers Ltd

Kenyatta National Hospital

8.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

http://www.knh.or.ke

More than 200 KNH medics trained on Basic Life Support

By Winfred Gumbo More than 200 medics at Kenyatta National Hospital have received training on Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

The training, that mainly targeted doctors, nurses, and clinical officers, was aimed at imparting knowledge on the kind of services to provide to patients during emergencies.

“The training targeted 200 (two hundred) staff with an average of 30 (thirty) staff being trained per week,” Dennis Bagine, Chief Executive Officer, Emergency Care Trainers told Newsline.

“Two approaches were used namely theory and practical work.

On the theoretical side, the trainees sat in a class setting and participated in a question and answer session.

Before every session began, we took three hours to discuss daily activities while on the practical side we put the teaching to practice,” he went on.

Mr. Bagine said BLS mainly helps in the primary while ACLS is used in a Secondary survey of patients.

“For ACLS, it must be mainly

Some of the trainees during practical sessions practiced by medical professionals while BLS is important for everyone in the initial stage of saving a life,” he said.

At the end of training, the trainees are expected to ensure that there is more positive patient outcome and that the hospital continues to save more lives. This can be achieved by inculcating a positive attitude at the work place.

“If one makes a mistake, then an apology is usually sufficient to get things back on an even keel. However-and this is a big ‘however’- most people do not even know why their apology did not seem to have any effect. It is simply that they did not make a mistake; they made a choice…and never understood the difference between the two.” ― Andy Andrews, The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective “Decide in your heart of hearts what excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.” ― Chris Hadfield

Briefly

October – Cancer Awareness Month October is breast cancer awareness month across the world.

The month has been set aside to help increase awareness, early detection, and treatment well as palliative care of cancer.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of the disease in Kenya. Some of its symptoms include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, and changes in the shape and texture of the nipple and breast.

Research shows that lifestyle changes including a reduction in alcohol consumption, controlling body weight, being physically active, avoiding radiation exposure, and environmental pollution can decrease the risk of getting cancer.

KNH-Othaya has organized free cancer screening from October 5 to 30.

(By Chris Mwiti)

OUR VISION A world class patient-centered specialized care hospital OUR MISSION To optimize patient experience through innovative healthcare; facilitate training and research; and participate in national health policy formulation OUR MOTTO We Listen, We Care

Find us on Social Media Kenyatta National Hospital

@CeoKnh @KNH_hospital

Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page

www.knh.or.ke

To contribute or report on newsworthy items, please contact the Editorial team; Marketing & Communication Department Editorial Team: .D. Opiyo, H. Gikambi Stories: Winfred Gumbo, Sheila Murithi , Linnette Leyi , Verah Mugambi, Julius Ita, Moses Njomo, Cynthia Ruto & Chris Mwiti Design By: C. Cheruiyot Photos: Moses Njomo, Linnette Leyi, Yvonne Gichuru & Nicholas Wamalwa

Tel: +254 20 2726300-9 Ext. 43121 or 43969 Fax: +254 20 272572 Email: caffairs@knh.or.ke knh.caffairs@gmail.com

Stay tuned for more news in the next issue of Newsline

Kenyatta National Hospital

9.

Youtube: Kenyatta National Hospital Official Page