Growth of our Pharmacy

Arrow Web Hospital is very proud of our hospital pharmacy, so we thought we would take this opportunity to share some history with you in both words and pictures.

In May 2008, Arrow Web Hospital moved into our present building. This is a picture of our pharmacy shortly after we moved in:

In September 2008, we achieved our initial accreditation under NHIF. At that time, NHIF provided a list of medications with an estimated cost of $1500 and explained that these are required be in stock at all times. The hospital staff were told that if they were not able to maintain these medications, they risked losing the accreditation they worked so hard to obtain. With the reimbursement they received at the end of October, the first month they were able to accept insurance cards, they were able to purchase over half of the medications that NHIF required be stocked in the hospital pharmacy.

November 2008 brought more NHIF card carrying patients to the hospital as word spread that Arrow Web Hospital could now accept these cards. The hospital ended up being reimbursed over $700 USD at the end of November and was able to purchase the remaining stock needed for their pharmacy. NHIF officials have been checking in regularly with the hospital and have been very pleased with the progress and management of funds to date.

Since October 2008, each month our reimbursements have grown and we have been able to maintain stock in our pharmacy. The following pictures were taken in March 2009. We are very proud of our pharmacy and the growth that has occurred in less than a year's time. These are pictures of one of our doctors stocking a new supply of medications to our shelves:

Japanese Embassy Official Tours Arrow Web Hospital

Meeting with the Japanese Embassy Official

On Monday, 3/16/09, we started off the week with an official visit from a representative from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. We were very happy to show the progress that has been made at our hospital and to provide the history of how our hospital began. The official reported to us that she was very impressed with how organized we are and said in comparison to other projects she had visited in the community, ours really stood out. We were invited to submit a letter of intent to the Embassy of Japan in Kenya about how we are seeking funding to construct our own building. The hospital has been renting since it's inception and we would really like to have the opportunity to reinvest the money spent on rent each month into improving our facility. Land has been donated for us to build on, but unfortunately if we do not begin using it this year, we risk the land being taken away and designated for something else.

If anyone reading our blog is interested in supporting our hospital building project, we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you. We are very hopeful that the kind people at the Embassy of Japan in Kenya believe in what we are doing and the benefit we bring our community and will help us achieve our goal. We have learned through the years that progress comes when everyone joins hands together in support. We are confident that others will continue to recognize and help us realize our vision for a healthy community.

A great ending to another great week!

We were originally scheduled for our NHIF reinspection on 3/19/09. Bramuel, our hospital administrator was out attending a 2-day conference this week, so the resinspection ended up being rescheduled for Monday, 3/23, but our NHIF official decided to visit the hospital on Friday, 3/20/09, instead.

NHIF awards 3 levels of accreditation-A, B and C. Our initial level C accreditation was achieved in September 2008 after Friends of Kenya helped us purchase 8 beds for the hospital. To reach the next level-B, we had to purchase certain pieces of medical laboratory equipment. Thanks to the help of Kitchen Table Charities Trust, we were able to accomplish that last week and get everything installed according to standard.

We are extremely happy to report that as of today's reinspection, Arrow Web Hospital has been awarded level B accreditation status under NHIF! Congratulations to Bramuel and the Arrow Web Hospital staff for yet another great achievement!

Improvements to the Medical Laboratory

On Wednesday March 11, 2008, Bramuel traveled to PEFRIC East Africa Stores with the funds transferred from Kitchen Table Charities Trust in the UK. Several months ago, at the suggestion of a friend in Matopeni, Kenya, volunteers from the Nabuur Foundation in the Netherlands began work on a proposal for 3 pieces of medical laboratory equipment. If successful, this equipment had the potential to do two things for the hospital; (1) qualify the hospital for the next level of accreditation under NHIF, and (2) allow the hospital to begin receiving referrals from other medical centers for the first time in hospital history. We were informed earlier this month that our proposal was accepted.

Bramuel was able to purchase all of the equipment locally. This resulted in a cost savings for the hospital. Above, you will see the inside of the PEFRIC East Africa Store. Once the equipment was purchased and brought back to the hospital, a carpenter was hired to build a table strong enough to hold each piece of equipment.

Once the table was completed, our laboratory technician went to work making sure that everything was set up properly.

Now the machines are set up and ready for use. On 3/19/09, NHIF will be sending an official to the hospital for another inspection. We hope to report good news-that we have been recommended for our next level of accreditation very soon!

We wish to extend a our sincere gratitude to everyone at Kitchen Table Charities Trust for the support that you have shown our hospital and the belief in the good work we are doing in Kenya. It is truly due to organizations and people like you that we are able to continue on this path toward long-term sustainability. For that, we thank you.

New Equipment for the Medical Laboratory

Thanks to the kindness and generousity of Kitchen Table Charities Trust, Bramuel was able to go out yesterday and purchase 3 new pieces of equipment for the Arrow Web Hospital medical laboratory; a bacteriological incubator, hematology analyzer, and a biochemistry colorimeter.


This equipment will make a huge impact in the day to day operations at the hospital. Bramuel has already contacted NHIF to schedule an inspection visit for 3/19/09. This inspection will be for approval for the next higher level of accreditation. It will also allow the hospital to begin accepting referrals from outside facilities for the first time in hospital history.

Arrow Web Hospital wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone at Kitchen Table Charities Trust. We are extremely thankful for your support. It has allowed us to take one more very significant step toward long-term sustainability.

Bicycle Donation Ceremony

We had a fabulous time at the Indaba Explorations Campsite. On Saturday, we had the priviledge of attending a bicycle donation ceremony sponsored by the Tour d'Afrique Foundation. Tour d'Afrique kindly donated 5 bicycles to the Arrow Web Hospital community health team. We are very grateful for this generous donation and eager to put the bicycles to good use. Thank you so much to all involved for including us!

Medical Supplies Secured! 9 boxes arrive at Arrow Web Hospital

Following a week long struggle with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). We have managed to secure 9 boxes of medical supplies donated by Motorsport Medical Services. After being told that we would have to pay well over $200 to secure the boxes, we were able to pick them all up for no extra cost other than to Kenya Airways for storage.

We would like to send a very special "Thank You!" to all who participated in getting this donation of supplies to the hospital. On behalf of the Board of Management staff and the community at large, we humbly thank you all, most of all Alison, from AVIF Volunteers, who tried her best to make sure the donation reached the hospital.

Thank you Kitchen Table Charities Trust!

Back in January, Arrow Web Hospital submitted a funding proposal to Kitchen Table Charities Trust. Our proposal requested assistance to purchase medical equipment for our hospital lab. We were so happy yesterday to receive word from them that our proposal was accepted!!

Once this equipment is secured, the hospital can request inspection for the next highest level of accreditation under NHIF. It will also allow us to begin accepting referrals from outside facilities.

This opportunity bring us another step closer to long-term sustainability. We look forward to providing updates and pictures very soon!

Arrow Web Hospital Patient Assistant Training Program

A Brief History

About 2-years ago, Simiyu J. Bramuel, the Executive Project Coordinator for Arrow Web Hospital initially presented the idea for a Patient Assistant training program. He wanted this program to be specifically targeted toward the many orphaned children living in the slum areas outside of Nairobi. Most people living in this area earn less than $1USD per day. Bramuel and the board members worked together to try and determine an appropriate budget to start the program. They found that they would not be able to realistically manage it if they took too many students, so they decided to start with 3 with the requirement that the student must be orphaned-without both parents. The training program was set up to last for 1-year.

In 2007, Arrow Web Hospital began recruiting for the program and were able to find 3 students. These students successfully graduated and are now working in local hospitals at Patient Assistants. In 2008, they recruited another 3 students. These students finished their studies on January 30, 2009. Arrow Web Hospital is committed to helping each of the students enrolled in the program secure employment upon their graduation. Since the inception of the training program, Arrow Web Hospital has found that the cost per student is roughly $15/mo. This covers their education materials, breakfast and lunch.

In 2009, they were hoping to have enough funds to recruit 10 students, but unfortunately they do not have enough money to support that. They recently accepted new applications for a new class and received over 40 applicants from the local community. We know there is much interest in the local community based on this response. Unfortunately due to lack of funding, the hospital will only be able to accept 3 students again this year.

Meet our New Students

Arrow Web Hospital is proud to introduce the newest students accepted into the training program:

Irene
Irene was born in the Kayole Soweto slums to a single mother. In 1986, her mother later died and left Irene alone to care for her 2 brothers and four sisters. Through well wishes, Irene managed to achieve an A-level education. She is the only bread winner for her brothers and sisters. Arrow Web Hospital has accepted her into the training program to provide her with the education and experience she needs to help change her life and the lives of her brothers and sisters.

Doreen

Doreen was born in Kisii and later moved to Kayole-Soweto where her both parents died leaving 9 orphaned children. Doreen is the first born in her family. She was born in 1983 and is now the primary bread winner for her 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Through well wishes, she achieved an A-level education. Doreen is taking the 1-year patient assistant course at Arrow Web Hospital so that in future live she can financially assist her family once she gains enough experience.

Charles

Charles was born in Kiambu and later moved to Kayole Soweto where both of his parents died leaving 5 orphaned children. Charles was 17-years old when his parents died. He is the first born son and has 4 brothers. Born 1982, he is the bread winner for his family. Through well wishes he managed to achieve an A-level education. Charles is taking one-year patient assistant course at the hospital so that he can gain the experience necessary to better assist his family in the future.

Long-Term Sustainability

The hospital would love to make this a more sustainable training program and we are interested in obtaining ideas on how to do that. We are looking for organizations that may be able to provide funding, or sponsors willing to donate $15/mo. for 1-year so that they could then increase the number of students. Micro-finance has also been considered as a possible option. If you have ideas or are interested in helping us, we'd love to hear from you. Our team of online volunteers is presently discussing options for long-term sustainability in our virtual village at Nabuur.com

The New and Improved Reception Area

Arrow Web Hospital began accepting National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cards on October 1, 2008. Since that time, each month we have been able to utilize the reimbursement funds provided to make improvements to the facility. One of the things that NHIF requires is a standard reception area.

Here is a picture of the artist working on the new reception desk:

This is the end result: