Save lives in Kenya with stronger trauma care

Thank you so much for your support of this project. We are excited to bring you this reprort from our Health programme co-ordinator, Carolyne Chepngetich.

The completion and formal handover of the Living Hope Emergency and Trauma Centre marked a vital milestone in improving emergency health care services in LSCH and the entire region. This also ensures sustainable health service delivery for the local population. This report highlights the progress made at the Trauma Centre since the handover focusing on patient care and staff capacity development undertaken.

Between February to June, 424 patients have been attended to at the Trauma Centre presenting with a variety of traumatic injuries and medical emergencies. Common trauma and emergency cases managed at the Trauma Centre include;

• Road Traffic Injuries (RTAs)
• Convulsive Disorders
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Gastroenteritis/ dehydration
• Organophosphate Poisoning
• Hypertension
• Burns
• Acute Abdomen among others

Significant efforts have been made to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers through training and Continuous Medical Education (CME). This enables them to provide quality emergency and trauma care.There are currently five Trauma Centre staff four nurses and one clinician.

In May, eleven members of staff from Londiani Sub County Hospital (LSCH) completed a three-day combined Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training held at Ukarimu Centre. The training was certified by American Heart Association (AHA), equipping participants with internationally recognised knowledge and practical skills in emergency resuscitation and the management of critically ill patients.

The training was delivered through lecture sessions and drills.

Basic Life Support course Content:

• High- quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Chain of Survival
• Delivering effective breaths or ventilation
• Importance of early use of and how to use Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Performance as an effective team member during multi rescuer
• Relief of foreign body airway obstruction (chocking) for adults children, and infants

Advanced Cardiac Life Support course content:

• Systematic Approach (Assessment)
• High quality BLS
• Airway management
• Rhythm recognition
• Defibrillation
• Medication and administration
• Transcutaneous pacing
• High- Performance team

 A series of CME sessions were conducted for 253 healthcare providers to strengthen clinical knowledge and improve emergency response. Topics covered include; BLS, Basic electrocardiography and Electrocardiograph (ECG) reading, Recognition and Management of Organophosphate Poisoning, Initial Response to Trauma Patients, Patient Safety, Safe Oxygen Administration, Spinal Precautions in Trauma Management , and Transfer of Patients using Sliding Sheets.

The Trauma Centre has continued to strengthen emergency and trauma care services through ongoing staff training and continuous professional development. The successful completion of BLS and ACLS training, together with regular CME sessions, has improved the preparedness and confidence of healthcare providers in responding to emergencies. These initiatives contribute to better patient outcomes, improved emergency response.

 Next Steps

Ongoing First Response Emergency Care (FREC), Trauma Management, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training for the healthcare providers. Your continued support can help ensure that trauma care reaches everyone who needs it — from rescue to recovery.