By Betty Luke
Rebecca Akum, 18, enjoyed a healthy life until June this year after she gave birth to her first born child through the Caeserian Section (CS).
What she thought would be a smooth transition from childhood to motherhood turned out to be a nightmare after she started experiencing general body weakness, breathing difficulties and exhaustion even after performing simple tasks.
This prompted her family to seek medical attention at the Isiolo Referral Hospital where the young mother was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE), a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs are blocked by a blood clot.
“I was informed I had a clot that originated from the heart and it made me struggle to breathe,”shares Ms Akum.
PE, research indicates, is caused by a clot that could move from one part of the body to another causing shortness of breath, chest pain and cough.
The condition affects blood flow therefore lowering oxygen levels in the blood.
The condition can however be treated by focusing on keeping the blood clot from getting bigger, preventing new clots and breaking the existing clot through specialized treatment.
Akum’s condition was compounded by Tuberculosis that was detected a fortnight ago before she was subsequently put on treatment.
Following a series of consultation, medics resolved to put Ms Akum on oxygen support to improve the situation while the family sourced for resources to cater for her medication.
“She had TB that remained untreated for a long time further weakening her already affected lungs and body’s immunity,” noted a Senior medic at the county’s Referral Hospital.
It is estimated that her medication would cost approximately Sh90,000 to completely break down the clot and ensure she is able to breath normally.
It was after health workers including those attached to the Referral Hospital boycotted work that she was asked to leave for home in Maili Tano.
Lack of power connectivity at their home weighed her down but a neighbour to her aunt who had promised to temporarily host her before it was discovered that it was somewhat small.
Although she was lucky to be hosted by a well wisher living within Kambi ya Juu, electricity bill remains a serious challenge as the oxygen machines she uses consume a lot of energy.
When we visited the home, we found her lying on the coach with an electricity-powered portable oxygen concentrator and two gas cylinders laying by her side.
One of the cylinders, we were told, was empty and the other half full.She uses the concentrator on normal occasions and switches to the cylinder whenever there is blackout.
“Our host thought it was easy to accommodate my daughter but has realized it is so expensive to power the concentrator. We have no one to support us with the electricity bill let alone our daily needs,” Akum’s mother Josephine Ekale says.
She says taking care of her ailing daughter and her grandchild had left her unable to seek manual jobs that she relied on for livelihood.
The family is calling on well wishers to support them access the recommended medication to ensure the young girl is back to her feet so that she can take care of her little baby.
Local Activist Martin Marit called on the county government and the healthcare workers to engage in a dialogue and end the stalemate that he said continued to expose innocent residents to suffering.
“The medics are on strike because their rights were violated. I urge Governor Abdi Guyo to listen and heed to their cries so that such patients can atleast be managed at the hospital. It will be easier and cheaper for them than when she is lying here, at someone’s home,” said Mr Marit.
