The main focus since my return to Kenya, is to establish a sustainability plan; my hope that the momentum of the projects that have been ignited with the team at OGRA will continue to evolve, to meet the needs of the various communities I’ve grown to adore. In collaboration with the OGRA Clinical Director, we have started a continued medical educational program at the local clinic in Ombeyi. After delivering several presentations on Pediatric Emergency Treatment, and Infection Control Measures, we have begun to empower the staff at the clinic, challenging each of them to present on a healthcare topic of interest. This is an exciting challenge for them, as few of them have ever had the opportunity to prepare and present a professional presentation. This project also addresses the need for continued medical education opportunities within the Ombeyi Clinic, a need that is common throughout this part of the world. Unlike the industrialized world, access to CMEs through internet connections and professional mailings is nonexistent here. The Ministry of Health holds professional education meetings, however due to the costs; few have the opportunity to attend.
A typical clinic staff consists of 2 Clinical Officers, several nurses, lab technicians and community health workers. One physician oversees the care within the clinic which can see up to 40 patients a day. In this model a lot of responsibility weighs on the Clinical Officer, who after 4 years of training, must prescribe drugs and make medical decisions which are typically left to those with twice the number of years of training in States. I look forward to the next couple of months as I continue to grow and learn alongside the Clinic Officers and their staff as they take on more of a leadership role in offering continued medical education and training programs to their staff. I hope to also start a visiting nurse and physician program within OGRA. Whereby clinicians worldwide can come to OGRA for a week or two, and share with the clinic staff their skills and knowledge.
In addition to creating educational programs for those working within the clinics, I was recently asked by the local medical institute to teach 2 classes this semester. Early in January, I began teaching courses in Embryology and Basics Nursing Skills. After completing my first couple of weeks, I have no doubt Kenya will be in good hands with this next generation of clinicians. These students come to class with energy and eagerness to learn that surpasses anything I’ve ever experienced. I’m finding teaching particularly energizing and look forward to seeing a whole new prospective of Kenya this semester through the eyes of these students.
The Hygiene Program continues to move forward as we work through the first drafts of a business plan for a soap factory, and brain storm on a chicken and garden program in the local villages. It is our hope that with a sustainable garden and chicken program, the expenses of the hygiene program will not become too burdensome for the local communities.
Another highlight these past few weeks was an article published by the Global Atlanta which included an interview they had conducted with me back in December. Hopefully this will bring a little more addition to the basic hygiene needs in this area.
In addition, I was given permission to set up a Hygiene Program web page within the OGRA Foundation website. January was the official launch of the website, which drew a lot of excitement from our local team. We hope the article along with the website will bring much needed attention to the hygienic needs of these communities.
Global Atlanta Article: http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/23683/
Pictures: Stay Tuned To Be Posted Soon!
