A Doctor’s Fear in the Face of COVID-19: Reflections from Jesse Kay Hospital
It was 2:49 am on a quiet Monday morning, a silence deeper than usual. The hum of motorbikes, the rush of matatus, and the nightlife energy of Nairobi had all been muffled. Only the distant sound of a howling dog broke the stillness. As I lay awake, I thought about recent calls from friends and family, their voices carrying an unfamiliar fear and uncertainty. The atmosphere of Nairobi, typically vibrant, had become tense, laden with the heavy anticipation of a pandemic that no one fully understood.
Nairobi had transformed—its once lively streets now held an eerie calm as the unseen virus swept across the globe. I prayed for my family, colleagues, and the world, asking God for protection, for peace, and for the strength to face what was to come. A light rain began around 5:00 am, and I felt it as a sign—a new day with new hope, an invitation to share that hope with others.
Reflections on an Unfamiliar Crisis
The pandemic left even the most advanced nations grappling for answers. I couldn’t help but wonder: If those with state-of-the-art resources were struggling, how would Kenya fare in the face of COVID-19? Reflecting back to February 18, 2018, when Jesse Kay Children’s Hospital opened its doors, I remembered the optimism that filled our hearts as we gave our first vaccinations and partnered with Happy Life Children’s Home. Over time, the mothers at Happy Life came to trust us, recognizing our hospital as a haven for their little ones.
By April 6, 2020, our hospital had taken in ten babies from Happy Life Children’s Home, all struggling with pneumonia and other infections. The global spread of COVID-19 had sown seeds of worry, especially among our staff and the mothers. We quietly wondered: Are we dealing with COVID-19 cases? The uncertainty was tangible, heightened by questions of safety—should we wear masks, goggles, and gowns? How could we handle these cases without the threat of infection looming?
A Journey Through Uncertainty
This was uncharted territory for everyone. Our hospital staff and the mothers spent long days and nights within the hospital walls, forming a close-knit community in the face of the unknown. With other hospitals only accepting emergency cases, we became a sanctuary for these vulnerable children.
As a team, we navigated each challenge, rooted in our commitment to provide unwavering care and guided by the belief that hope and resilience would see us through. We had stepped into a new era of healthcare, one where courage, compassion, and collaboration were paramount in a world changed by an invisible adversary.