If you are sick of hearing about Covid-19, I apologize. But we thought it was about time we write about how it’s going in our part of the world.
In Kenya, as of today there are 225 confirmed cases, now spread across the country from Nairobi where it was first diagnosed. We are behind the US in number and timeline, so for us it is still early on. We have had a few suspected cases in our hospital, so far none of them confirmed.
But since we all know it is coming, and may even become a chronic issue, the hospital is preparing. They are trying to get equipment installed to increase how many patients can have oxygen at a time. They are working on getting protective equipment for staff in numbers we’ve never had before. They are continuously trying to train staff to both take care of these patients and reduce the widespread fear people have for Covid-19.
We are used to taking care of patients without adequate resources. We are used to knowing we are not in control of our patient’s outcomes. I am hoping and praying that this pandemic is an impetus for our small community and our international health care community to learn to better prioritize resources, educate each other, and have compassion for our patients moving forward.
I know these are stressful times for us all, whether you are dealing with illness, sick family members, financial hurt, or just the anxiety of uncertainty. I pray you see God redeem this suffering for you and more than ever truly believe that God provides.
“. . . for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Team Ryley 