During our visit to Kenya in 2007 we came into contact with the Matata Children’s Hospital in Oyugis. The hospital is situated in the Rachuonyo District in the province of Nyanza in the west of Kenya, near to Lake Victoria. It is one of the poorest regions in Kenya. The local population lives mainly on agriculture and fishing. There is some industry in the cities. Click on maps.google.
We were introduced to Dr. John Malago, head of the Matata Hospital. The hospital can accommodate 50 children and their mothers and treats more than 75 outpatients daily.
In addition to the 76 professional care workers, two of them doctors, there are 6 volunteers working in the hospital. They administer medical treatment, provide care and nursing and give out information. There are 40 volunteers in the surrounding areas providing basic health care.
John Malago spoke enthusiastically about his work with the children and their often extremely young mothers who have been admitted to him for treatment for AIDS–related illnesses. Full of pride, he showed us around his pharmacy, but we noticed a severe shortage of medical supplies. It was also lacking in other essential resources, such as syringes and bandages.
Despite Dr. Malago’s positive outlook we were extremely shocked by the suffering that we’d seen and decided there and then to do our very best to support the hospital. With our help, Dr. Malago would be able to provide more adequate help and assistance to the patients entrusted to his care.
October 2007
The Matata Hospital in 2011
The Matata Hospital now has two children’s wards for a maximum of 38 children. Approximately 100 outpatients are treated daily. 87 health care professionals work in the hospital, including three doctors and six volunteers. Another 100 trained volunteers provide basic care in the hospital’s region.
Helped by the Matata Children’s Hospital Kenya Foundation, the Matata Hospital made great progress during the last four years.
September 2011
