Overview
The Spinal Injury Hospital located in Nairobi, Kenya is
the only hospital in East Africa catering to people living with SCIs. The
hospital offers comprehensive medical services including an outpatient
department, rehabilitation services, surgical/orthopaedic services and
specialized counseling services. Data indicates that there are 50,000-75,000
persons living with a spinal injury in Kenya with over 15,000 new cases
recorded annually. Sadly, they post high death rates due to the lack of
appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.
Problem statement
In Kenya there is
not much awareness and resources for dealing with post-spinal cord injured
victims. During the rehabilitation process, getting admitted for treatment
during times of illness or to use physiotherapy facilities is close to
impossible as a result of the overwhelming numbers on the waiting list. Unlike
some developed countries where victims with disabilities are transitioned back
into society through provision of employment and education opportunities the
case is different in developing countries where getting employment is close to
impossible.
Project scope and objectives
The main goal is returning as much function as possible to
the patient to enable them lead a near-normal life. Because all spinal cord
injuries are different, a unique plan is designed to help the person function
and succeed in everyday life. The plan includes:
·
Helping the person understand his/her injury and
accept the condition
·
Helping the person understand his/her care and
management
·
Help the person become as independent as
possible in everyday activity(ies) such as bathing, eating, dressing, grooming
and wheelchair use
·
Helping the person to accept the new lifestyle
especially pertaining to sexual, recreational, and housing
·
Help the person learn how to instruct caregivers
on how to assist them
·
Prepare them for vocational rehabilitation and
training, and
·
Undertake regular research of the dynamics of
spinal injury treatment and rehabilitation
Engagements of interns and volunteers
Day to day activities include:-
1.
Physiotherapy – This involves physical
exercises, stretching and massages to help in their strengthening of muscles,
joints and bones.
2.
Occupational therapy – teaching life skills for
reintegration purposes of persons with a spinal injury into the community.
3.
Counseling sessions for them to be able to deal
with the obvious trauma and education classes to learn how to deal with the new
changes physically, psychologically and emotionally.
4.
Secretarial administrative duties
5.
general community service duties like washing
patients, cooking etc
Project deliverables
Prevention of secondary complications, maximization of
physical functioning and reintegration of persons with a spinal injury into the
community. Disability is not inability and a strong mentality and great
attitude have been very important!
