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Christamarianne Mission Hospital has established a critical care centre and CT scan radiology services in a bid to provide inclusive service delivery to our clients. With the presence of critical care services within the facility, our patients will be able to stick to their preferred facility of choice for life-saving procedures. The provision of critical care services enables time-saving manoeuvres to be promptly available to save life.

The launch namely involved the opening and blessing of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the High Dependency Unit (HDU), the Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan) and the Oxygen Generation Plant.

The ICU caters to patients with severe or life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant care, close supervision, life support equipment, and medication to ensure normal bodily functions. On the other hand, the HDU is an intermediate ward for patients who require close observation, treatment, and nursing care that cannot be provided in a general ward, but whose care is not at a critical stage to deserve an ICU bed.

CT scans can produce detailed images of numerous structures inside the body, including the internal organs, blood vessels and bones. They can be used to: diagnose conditions – including damage to bones, injuries to internal organs, problems with blood flow, stroke, or cancer.

Mr James Okemwa Ontabo, Kisii County Secretary and the Head of Public Service was honoured to cut the ribbon on behalf of the governor during the launch of the 32-slice CT Scan machine. The acquired brand-new CT Scan equipment will enable the capture of quality CT Scan images.

The launch of our critical care centre was also presided over by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa of the Catholic Diocese of Kisii. The Critical care centre contains a 5-bed ICU and a 4-bed HDU. Our critical care units are designed with the critically ill patients in mind and are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In addition, the Bishop also launched the oxygen plant within the hospital compound. An Oxygen Plant is a set of industrial machines that generate medicinal oxygen. The oxygen generated is used in the treatment of patients who may have low oxygen saturation levels in their bodies. It is also applied to relieve respiratory distress. Therefore this machinery is vital in ensuring our patients have an opportunity for life support.

In summary, the auspicious occasion was elegant and delightful. The event began with a ribbon cutting ceremony, Mass at the Mzungu grounds, speeches by guests, giving and receiving of gifts, cake cutting and lunch. The ceremony was captured live by our brother channel Capuchino TV. Follow the link below to watch the entire event as it unfolded.

The Global Emergency Care Skills (GECS) organization trained over a hundred healthcare workers at Christmarianne Mission Hospital in emergency care and trauma skills. The training took place in the month of February 2020 and ran for close to four days. The aim of the training was to demonstrate how medics ought to respond to emergency and trauma, and also impart the necessary skills to save lives.

GECS is an Irish voluntary, non-profit organization with the objective of providing emergency care training to doctors and nurses in countries with developing healthcare systems with the aim of keeping morbidity and mortality in check.

Learning was accomplished through seminars, workshops, group discussions and question and answer sessions. A large portion of the training involved simulation of life threatening incidences using mannequins (medical simulation dolls).

GECS does not charge any fees to train healthcare workers. The organization is an NGO and relies on donor funding to conduct such valuable training sessions. Their trainings are funded through voluntary contributions from instructors and from fundraising activities. 

In addition, GECS donated a book to the facility library titled ECG Interpretation, it’s easier when you know how by Dr. Richard Lynch. The book is a must have for students and practitioners to improve their knowledge of ECG interpretation.

FSJ Christamarianne Mission Hospital’s medical laboratory received ISO 15189:2012 accreditation from the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS). The recognition follows the spirited process of the hospitals management and laboratory staff in ensuring that the department conforms to international guidelines.

ISO 15189:2012 is a set of international standards formulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 15189:2012 touches on the competence of medical laboratories to deliver services in terms of but not limited to: a medical laboratories quality services, its managements systems, the staff technical competence and the calibration of instruments.

The award follows vigorous preparation by the management and staff through formal applications, on–site assessments and thorough examination of the laboratories quality and management systems.

The recognition shows that Christamarianne Mission Hospital’s Laboratory is a legally identifiable entity and also appropriately registered as a medical laboratory that offers services according to international standards.  

Medical laboratory tests are vital in the patient journey because they play a critical role in informing the patient and medical personnel of any underlying issues. Moreover, laboratory test results play a critical role in decision making therefore its importance cannot be taken for granted. There is no room for error.

Patients ought to perform tests from medical laboratories that are standardised and that conduct tests with minimal error and according to international standards.

This Accreditation formally recognises a Christamarianne Mission Hospital’s Medical Laboratory as commendable, and therefore members of the public are encouraged to identify and select Christamarianne as the facility of choice to receive testing and measurement services that meet customer needs.

Learn more of our Medical Laboratory Services.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the novel corona virus. The disease was first reported in Wuhan province of the Republic of China and has to date spread throughout the world and various parts of the country.

Infected person may show symptoms such as fever, a dry cough and body weakness. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to manifest.

The symptoms may be mild in certain individuals and thereby clear without specialised treatment. Such patients are advised to stay at home and self isolate. However, those exhibiting more than mild symptoms are advised to seek medical attention.

How does it spread?

The novel Corona virus spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes or exhales. Please note that it has been established by the WHO that the virus is not airborne. The droplets are weighty and as such do not linger in the air but rather fall to the ground or nearest surface.

Infection occurs when an individual comes into contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or by touching contaminated surfaces, and there after touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Christamarianne Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 is a fatal disease especially to the immuno-compromised and the elderly. In order to join the fight to contain its effect in the country, Christamarianne Mission Hospital has made the following response

1. Effective immediately only staff and authorized persons will be permitted to access the facility grounds.
2. Normal visitation hours have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. In that regard the visitation of patients has been restricted.
3. Persons permitted to access the premises of the facility must have high standards of personal hygiene.
4. Staff and patients are encouraged to either sanitize or hand wash every time they feel so. Water fronts have been erected at all corners of the facility to facilitate the same.
5. Staff and patients are encouraged to wear face masks at all times and observe social distancing of close to 1.5m.

What can you do?

As of this writing, COVID-19 has neither cure nor a vaccine. There is a global pursuit to develop a vaccine that will keep this pandemic in check. Meanwhile, to lessen the spread of corona virus, we are advised to

• Stay at home if possible
• Avoid overcrowding in a particular spot
• Maintain a social distance of 1.5m to 2m apart
• Clean touch surfaces with disinfectant
• Wear protective gear such as gloves, masks, facial shields and PPEs

Further information can be accessed locally through the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization. Get access to the national hotline set up by the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Health by dialling 719 or *719# on your phone.