When Waweru Mbugua, aged 54, secured an opportunity to serve as a night guard at Kachibora Hospital in Trans Nzoia County, it marked a pivotal moment in his life. The lofty aspirations of becoming a doctor or nurse had waned due to financial constraints, limiting his access to training.
Despite harbouring dreams of a medical career, the financial hurdles were insurmountable for Waweru, whose impoverished parents couldn't afford the necessary fees. However, in 1995, a door opened for him at Kachibora Hospital, not as a medical service provider but as a watchman.
Dedicated
In his role as a night guard, Waweru exhibited unwavering determination and dedication to providing security. Yet, his inherent desire to aid the sick led him to forge close ties with medical practitioners, even though he lacked formal training or a license.
Proximity to healthcare professionals allowed Waweru to build a strong rapport, igniting a passion for offering assistance to the ill within the bounds of his capabilities to provide first aid.
Despite his official role as a guard, his focus and interest were squarely on aiding the sick.
Waweru's commitment to helping others manifested prominently during the 2007/2008 post-election violence. His altruistic efforts came to the fore as he assisted victims displaced from their homes during the tumultuous period.
While he had acquired knowledge on handling certain medical situations, he had not yet put this knowledge into practical use. However, his services became invaluable when a group of residents sought refuge at Noigam Primary School as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the foot of Cherangany Hills.
Expectant mothers
Among the displaced individuals were expectant mothers whose delivery time was imminent. They sought medical assistance at the facility where Waweru was serving as a guard.
"At the time, there was only one nurse available, and some expectant mothers were in a state of shock due to the prevailing skirmishes," explained Waweru, who found himself compelled to assist the lone nurse.
Faced with an overwhelming number of expectant mothers in need of medical aid, Miriam (now deceased), the sole nurse at the facility, had no choice but to train Waweru on certain procedures so that he could lend a helping hand.
In a short span, the dedicated Waweru found himself with a new responsibility - assisting expectant mothers in delivering their babies. He quickly mastered the necessary skills and, on several occasions, recalls midwifing expectant mothers who arrived at the facility during the early hours when the nurse was unavailable.
"She skillfully trained me on how to help expectant mothers deliver, measure the length of the umbilical cord, handle the cutting, disposal, and care of the newborn and the mother in case of emergencies or when she was overwhelmed," said Waweru.
For an entire month, Waweru and the late Miriam continued to provide crucial medical support until the government deployed more health practitioners to the facility, prompting Waweru to step back from his unexpected role.
Day and night
On average, as highlighted by Waweru, the facility would receive three expectant mothers during the day and around two at night.
Occasionally, some women would deliver prematurely due to shock caused by the prevailing situations at the IDP camp.
Waweru estimates that he supported at least 50 expectant mothers in delivering at the IDP camp, both with the assistance of the nurse and independently.
The father of five recalls a scenario when an expectant mother could not make it to the maternity wing. "The nurse was attending to another patient who was bleeding profusely, yet she was the only medical officer around," Waweru said.
"I put on my gloves, rushed to the scene, and helped the mother deliver her baby."
Waweru's colleague, Peter Kimitei, who also works as a security warden at the facility, describes him as a dedicated person who goes out of his way to help those in need.
mndiema@standardmedia.co.ke
