AKU-SONAM alumnus Sergeant Thomas Obuya is keenly watching the global frenzy and developments around COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As a critical care nurse working in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), he knows too well the impact of a deadly infection.
During his line of duty at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, he recalls when he received a patient who was suffering from a stroke. During treatment, the patient developed persistent fevers that did not resolve even after administering antibiotics. It turned out that the patient had been infected by pathogens at the hospital, a term medical practitioners refer to as iatrogenic infection. Such infections are deadly due to the patient's lowered immunity.
This caused Sergeant Obuya to carry out an observational study on infection control threats and opportunities within the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in August 2019.
“I found several infection points including bed rails, sinks as well as at the entrance to the ICU. Unfortunately, healthcare workers were heavily involved as a result of their contact with several patients," Obuya said, “Interventions to mitigate this included hand hygiene for healthcare workers, demarcation of areas in the ICU for safe disposal of gloves, as well as posting of infection control practices on noticeboards as a constant reminder."
He presented these findings at the first KDF Medical Scientific Conference in February. The conference that was exclusive to military staff, was aimed at stimulating fresh research and innovation within the medical personnel ranks in KDF to provide solutions to current and emerging health challenges.
“Presenting my findings at the conference was an honour as KDF's Director of Medical Services, Major General Dr George Ng'ang'a, as well as senior consultants were present. It validated my reasons for conducting the study."
Sergeant Obuya has worked at the Kenya Defence Forces Memorial Hospital for sixteen years. He began his career in 2004 when he would change beds and wash patients as a nurse orderly and rose through the ranks to serve as a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit.
Sergeant Obuya believes that his proposed guidelines will increase the effectiveness of healthcare workers in infection control. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, these guidelines can be adopted by healthcare institutions, to ensure lives are protected and saved.