Residents of Sekenani area in Narok West Sub County can breathe a sigh of relief after the opening of a multi-million missionary hospitals that specializes on injuries caused by wild animals.
The hospital, dubbed Straight up Medical (SUM) that was opened two years ago has seen hundreds of residents living around the Maasai Mara Game Reserve treated for wild animals’ bites and injuries.
Ms. Nanyu Letwolo, one of the beneficiaries of the hospital narrated how she was attacked by buffalo in March this year, while fetching firewood in a nearby bush but was saved when she was rushed to the hospital.
“I remember I was on my way to fetch firewood on the hills when I met a buffalo that hit me on the left jaw. I lost three of my teeth but I thank God for the mission hospital where I was rushed by good Samaritans and treated free of charge,” said Ms. Letwolo.
Dominic Lepore, a resident of Sekenani said last week one of his relatives was bitten by a snake and rushed to the hospital where he was treated.
“I thank God for this hospital because if it wasn’t here, I guess my brother would have passed on because of the snake bite. When we visited the hospital, we were treated immediately without any charges,” he said.
He said he has witnessed many other people get treated in the hospital after being attacked by the wild animals that roam freely in the area that borders the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
The hospital Medical Laboratory Technologist Mr. Nathan Dapash said the hospital receives at least one patient attacked by wild animals every week whom they treat before releasing to go home or may refer for further treatment.
Dapash observed that any person is capable of being attacked by a wild animal and the treatment varies depending on the age and condition of the person being treated.
“Sometime we recommend antibiotics to older adults or people who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes but when the bite is severe, we may prescribe stronger pain medication for short term pain relief,” he said.
The Director of the Hospital Travis Sowyer said the idea of coming up with a mission hospital was prompted by the many kilometers the residents were traveling to receive treatment from wild animal bites.
Mr. Sowyer said when he arrived in the area over ten years ago, he realized that many people were dying from animal bites and injuries from wild animals, hence the decision to build the facility to cater for such patients.
“People visit the hospital during day and night hours after they have been attacked by wild animals. The treatment is very expensive but we give priority to treatment as we only charge for the prescribed medicine,” he explained.
Most of cases reported are those inflicted by wild dog bites, snakebites, elephant and buffalo attack, added the director.
The Director confirmed that the sole purpose of the health facility is to help the less fortunate members of society, where majority of the families are really needy.
By Ann Salaton
