Mission to Maua – Healthcare

Kenya’s healthcare system falls far short of the need.  Doctors are in short supply (only one per 10,000 Kenyans) and only 1,000 of them work in public hospitals.  Most Kenyans can’t afford private health care or the many hidden costs of public hospitals, so fewer than 40% visit a hospital when sick. The average life expectancy is 53 years.  The government is making efforts to offer greater accessibility to health care by building district hospitals and rural dispensaries, staffed by nurses or clinical officers. Yet, one third of clinical jobs are vacant and medicines are in short supply, if available at all.  The government health care system is plagued by “corruption, staff shortages and poor facilities” according to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. 

The closest district hospital has no doctor on nights or week- ends; sometimes not at all.  They frequently run out of medicine and offer a poor option for health care for people in this area.  This leaves Maua Methodist Hospital to fill the gap, even though it severely strains the resources of Maua Hospital.   When the district hospital had no insulin for diabetic patients, they sent them to Maua, which in turn diminished Maua’s supply.  Two near-by highway accidents last week brought scores of victims to Maua Hospital because the closest hospital with a doctor on duty is an hour and a half drive away.  The district’s doctor doesn’t perform C-Sections, so patients needing that surgery come to Maua. 

Maua Methodist Hospital is struggling financially.  At the end of 2010, MMH had a deficit of almost  $100,000. The hospital depends on patient fees or patients’ government insurance for maintenance and operating costs.  Methodist Churches in the U.S., U.K., and Germany and other donors fund various projects both at the hospital complex and in the community outreach programs. Volunteers in Mission teams help spruce up the antiquated buildings.  The main problem is that in a time of 12% inflation, rising food prices, and drought, many patients are just unable to pay their fees.  The hospital has worked hard to reduce expenses and to ask for pre-payment or evidence of government health insurance before admission. (except, of course, in a life or death situation.)  Efforts are continuing to make the hospital’s financial outlook more stable.

The nursing shortage is another problem for Maua Methodist Hospital.  More than thirty nurses have resigned within the past year in order to work at government hospitals.  The appeal of easier work and shorter hours and giving them the option of opening up their own private clinic, for the same salary is too hard to resist for some.  Some clinical officers, trained at Maua Methodist Hospital, are also leaving to assume government posts. 

On the positive side, 2011 saw the beginning of a new medical internship program at MMH and the current four interns are well educated, hard working, and will make excellent physicians.  The Nursing School continues to produce eager, knowledgeable students.  Medical interns, clinical officer interns, pharmacy interns, and student nurses all complement the staff at Maua.

Maua Methodist Hospital has come a long way since 1928 and is working to modernize its facilities and services today.  MMH was in ministry offering health care then and it is in ministry offering health care now.  With God’s help, a lot of prayers, and a lot of support, Maua Hospital will continue its ministry well into the future.