A friend I met in Kenya many years ago had to be rushed to Tenwek Mission Hospital a few days ago due to complications with her pregnancy.
Sadly she lost the baby at 31 weeks despite the hospital staff making heroic efforts to save the child.
In her culture the unborn child must be buried within the day so several members of the community were at the hospital to receive the baby's remains and take him home for burial at the family compound. The mother could not attend the burial as she is still in hospital.
Compounding the pressures on the mother and her family is the fact that the hospital bill for her care is enormous. It is a huge concern for them and I don't know how they will meet the cost. I can only pray.
I'm posting this so others can pray too. Not just for the bills to be met but for the grieving hearts and the physical trauma to heal properly. It takes time.
If you can spare a few minutes, please have a look at this short video. It is of the highway the young mom would have had to be transported on to get from her home to the mission hospital She would have travelled for close to two hours as they rushed to the hospital in vain trying to save the baby.
10 comments:
I am so sad as I read this. 31 weeks is so survivable with the right care. I know since our first grand was born just 6 months ago at 32 weeks. So grateful for the technology that was present to save him. I grieve for your friend.
Im so sad hearing your friends loss. I lost a baby at 12 weeks and was quite ill, that was hard for me.I dont know what your friend is going through but this is far worse whats happened to her. What amount is her medical bill? cannot believe at this time she must worry about money she shouldn't have too bless her x
Yes, I know. It is very sad. I'm not sure what exactly the problem was but could be that whatever the problem was combined with the long and arduous journey to get to hospital proved to be too late to get the needed help. Everyone is in shock as they did not expect this outcome.
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss too Joy. I didn't know that. It makes the recent birth of your child that much more poignant. I don't know what the amount of the medical bill is but I will try to find out from another friend and post it here. It is very trying times for the young mom and her husband. In fact for her entire extended family.
Hi Joy, my friend says the bill at the moment is 46,000 Kenyan shillings (approx. $332 GBP or $444. Euros). Each day that she stays in the hospital the bill will go up but I am not sure by how much. Then there is the cost of transfer of the patient back to home in a comfortable way since she will still be convalescing from the surgery.
The loss of a precious life is sad; my best wishes for the sound recovery of the mother.
Very sad; losing a baby is very difficult - some of the saddest times in my life. At 31 weeks must be completely devastating. She will be in my prayers.
Thank you Joanne. I will pass on your sentiments. xx
I know you will understand very well and I thank you so much for prayers for this dear one as she grieves and recovers. xx
I will have you and the mother and family in Kenya in my prayers. God bless.
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