Lala Salama

Yesterday, the team arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, which is a coastal town on the Eastern side. We had to go through a hanger, which had been outfitted to be the domestic flight terminal because of the Nairobi airport fire. Mombasa weather is much warmer than Nairobi, and we were finally able to meet with Dr. Lynn Kanyuuru at Jhpiego Mombasa headquarters. She walked us through an orientation that welcomed us to Kenya and discussed briefly the Kenya healthcare system.

Melissa all set to head to Mombasa!

This morning, we headed over to the Coast General Hospital – largest government hospital in Mombasa,  bright and early for a very busy day at the hospital! To start, Lindsay and I headed over to the labor and delivery ward, and were able to witness the miracle of life (twice!). We also saw one child born asphyxiated, and were able to see neonatal resuscitation in action. Fortunately, the baby quickly began to cough and cry after suction and is doing perfectly fine! It’s also extremely cute. J

Michael, Nurse Shiela, and Melissa coming from Kenyan theater (i.e. OR)

Aaron was able to observe care in an antenatal clinic, and Michael and Melissa were able to watch a C-section. In the afternoon, Michael and I headed over to the antenatal ward, which is where women stay during the latent phase of labor. A clinical officer taught me how to take the fetal heart rate! Melissa and Aaron headed over to L&D and talked about healthcare with some of the nurses there.

Sunrise from our hotel looking over the beach!

 

As soon as we got back from the hospital, everyone jumped into their bathing suits and went for a swim in the surprisingly warm and lovely Indian Ocean. Then, we went to a typical Kenyan restaurant and feasted! Steve took us for some drinks afterwards at this cool, happening lounge.

Tomorrow we spend the morning at the hospital, and then head to Kisumu in the afternoon. Going coast to coast… west coast best coast!

PS Lala Salama means good night! We've been getting some language lessons from Steve and Lynn. :) Lynn says our final debrief might be in Swahili...