NAIROBI NATIONAL SPINAL CORD INJURY HOSPITAL PROJECT

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!