By Morara Kebaso
Cases of spinal injury – some of them highly complicated – have been going up in the country in the past decade from 250 to the current 700, exerting pressure on the National Spinal Injury and Referral Hospital (NSIRH), which has a bed capacity of only 35.
However, despite this being a major concern for the facility’s management, yesterday its capacity to handle complicated surgeries was enhanced through a donation of 64 specialised items.
The items, hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kibet Shikuku revealed, range from heavy duty suction machines for use in surgery, ripple mattresses for high-risk patients, wound Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) machines, a Cervical Spine Mayfield Holder and wheelchairs for both quadriplegic and paraplegic patients.
“The equipment will enhance the hospital’s ability to cope with the increasing number of spinal injury patients,” Dr. Shikuku said during the handing over of the equipment by Kenya Reinsurance Corporation Managing Director, Dr.Hillary Maina Wachinga through the Company’s Niko Fiti campaign.
Dr. Shikuku said many other cases go unattended due to the hospital’s initial capacity.
“Our facility, which currently has a bed capacity of 35 patients, is not equipped to handle this influx of patients, which has translated to long waiting periods for patients before they can secure admission,” he said, noting that the donation will improve outcomes for patients and will enable the hospital to provide specialised services to others who seek for help in other countries.
The donation was also lauded since it will enable Kenyans to undertake procedures earlier before they get complicate, and hence require special attention, which if delayed further may cause permanent disability.
Over 12,800 people have benefited from mobility and assistive devices so far since inception of the Niko Fiti campaign in 2011, according to Dr. Wachinga.
“The Corporation has also partnered with Kenya Institute for Special education to equip a state-of-the-art Psycho-Education Assessment and Rehabilitation centre which is one of the best in East and Central Africa,” he added.
The NSIRH is a government institution, providing very specialized services; it was initially intended for the army that is the army officers who get injuries from the battle field.
The hospital encounters around 250 to 500 spinal cases annually, which are as a result of direct trauma like falling, road accidents – which affects the young people mostly – while the other cases of people above 60 years with spine problems who are almost 2000 per month.
The hospital have a bed capacity of 35 patients is not well equipped to to handle more patients which has resulted to long waits from the patients.
Dr. Wachinga said Kenyans will be able to undergo surgeries quickly and successfully by the use of the advanced equipments.
“This is in line with the Government agenda on Universal Health Coverage.
“The Corporation knows that this partnership will go a long way to making healthcare for spinal injury patients more accessible and affordable.” He said.
The equipment will help the hospital meet its service demands in the areas of Curative Spinal Services, Rehabilitation Services and Promotive and Preventive Spine Care.
