The New Riley Mother and Baby Hospital is Celebrated with a Dedication Ceremony

Adapted from an article by Jim Lemons, M.D.

“Let all who pass this way know that Kenya cherishes her families, that she loves her children.  In this very special place, no child shall cry unheard, and no mother or father shall be friendless.”  - plaque outside the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital

Excitement filled the air at the dedication of the new Riley Mother and Baby Hospital on August 20, 2009.  The festivities were attended by staff, students, physicians, leaders of Moi University and members of the religious communities in Eldoret and included a performance by the hospital choir.  Those gathered celebrated this new addition to their medical facilities, as this hospital serves as a regional referral and training center for health care providers throughout all of western Kenyan. 

Currently, there are an average of 50 babies are being cared for in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) every day.  Approximately 2,000 infants will be admitted to the NICU every year, and up to 10,000 babies per year will be delivered at the Mother and Baby Hospital.  Two senior NICU nurses from Riley Hospital for Children accompanied Dr. Jim Lemons to Kenya in May to teach the staff about caring for premature infants and those requiring intensive care.

The hospital has also been the site for cutting-edge care in Kenya.  Since the hospital opened in May, there have been three babies born with trachea-esophageal fistula and surgically repaired successfully – the first babies with this condition to have had surgery and survived.  They are also introducing new technology such as isolettes and radiant warmers for temperature control, as well as nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for infants with respiratory distress.  The hospital has gained such a stellar reputation that many women are choosing to deliver there instead of private hospitals. 

One goal of the Kenyan obstetric and pediatric faculty is to provide and improve primary care to women in the villages throughout western Kenya by training the community health workers on management of common problems occurring during pregnancy, labor and delivery.  The beautiful new Riley Mother and Baby Hospital will help tremendously with this care and training!

For more information on maternal and child health in Kenya, please contact Megan Miller at mejmille@iupui.edu or (317) 630-6882.