Giving hope at Amani Medical Center
Amani Medical Center staff are poised to deal with some of the most difficult, tragic situations imaginable.
Take the example of Elizabeth, a 25-year-old woman from a nearby village. After being viciously attacked one evening by three men, she discovered that she was both pregnant and HIV-positive. Facing a pregnancy and the prospect of dealing with a deadly disease on her own was devastating for her. She felt humiliated and helpless. When the time came for her baby to be delivered, she had no-one to take her to the hospital. She staggered on foot to Amani Medical Center, collapsing with pain and exhaustion as she arrived late one night.
Our team at Amani Medical Center provides essential follow-up care and support to babies and their mothers.
That was when our staff stepped in to help, providing tender care and support. Responding to their kindness, Elizabeth was able to deliver a beautiful, healthy baby.
Our staff has continued to work closely with Elizabeth, giving her guidance on how to care for her child and providing her with the medication that she urgently needs. Although life continues to be challenging for her, she is doing well in caring for her baby thanks to the dedication, love, and encouragement of our medical team.
So often the care that the team provides is more than just for people’s physical needs. For one teen girl, it resulted in reconciliation with her parents.
When 17-year-old Alice became pregnant, her parents were horrified and embarrassed. Feeling shamed, Alice initially ran away from home. Although having begged for forgiveness, Alice was allowed to return, her parents told her that they disowned her, and she could never expect any support or help from them. As you can imagine, she was distraught.
Our staff have safely delivered around 100 babies in 2020!
When she went into labor, Alice was on her own. She walked to the Amani Medical Center herself, arriving tired and helpless. She explained about her family problems to our staff and they immediately decided to help her. They contacted her parents asking them to come to the hospital, which, somewhat reluctantly, they agreed to. There, the doctors and nurses counseled them about their daughter – as well as providing guidance and help for their own health problems. As their grandchild was born, Alice’s parents had a change of heart and expressed their willingness to help her. Before long, all four went home together.
A few days later, Alice arrived back at Amani Medical Center. There was not a problem this time. She simply wanted to express her gratitude to the medical staff for helping her reconcile with her family. This is what City of Hope is all about – committed to serving the community in whatever way we can!
Names have been changed to protect privacy.
