Stigmatized - but Never Defeated

CES Grad Busuku Musli has established a Medical Clinic "UZIMA House" at Bushiri, Navakholo sub-county in Kenya. 'Uzima' means 'life' - how appropriate a name. He has hired four others to assist in reception, testing, nursing and security. The clinic is open 24/7; and, that's what consumes the life of 'Daktari Musli'.

I recall meeting Busuku in 2009 as a young man in Form 3 when he was attending Makhukuni SS. CES has stood with Busuku along a path that took him to Mombasa's Port Reitz Medical College and then practical assignments at the Kakamega General Hospital as well as the Kakamega Correctional Facility. From there he became the Director of Ingotse Medical Hospital before he launched his own clinic in 2018.

Here Busuku writes about the real word of Covid19 in rural Kenya:

It's my hope that you are doing well despite the challenges being experienced all over the world due to the covid-19 pandemic. It's my pleasure to take this opportunity to thank God Almighty for so far having protected us all from the Covid-19 virus.

The Covid-19 pandemic is destabilizing economic developments all over the world and has already taken the lives of over 400,000 people. It has also caused some negative impacts to my personal and social life, and my family as well.

Personally, the number of patients who are currently coming for treatment in my medical clinic has declined. One of the reasons is the lack of money due to a poor economy. Many businesses were closed down by the government so as to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Also, the cost of drugs for treatment we purchase from the wholesalers has increased. We are therefore forced to give treatment to our patients at a relatively higher cost than before the Covid-19 pandemic. This is to compensate for the high cost of the drugs. Health services we offer to the locals are no longer affordable, thus leading to the decline of the number of patients coming to my medical clinic for health services.

Also many patients have developed fear of the Covid-19 virus and do not want to risk getting infected if they come to the hospital. As a result, fewer people are attending Uzima House. All these have made our daily cash collections to reduce, contributing to a low monthly cash flow. I still need to pay my worker's salaries and wages and buy other miscellaneous items. This has left us with nothing from the savings we had before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Therefore, we're unable to purchase any protective gear (PPE). The infrared non-contact digital thermometer for screening the Covid-19 virus cheapest costs 8,000 ($100Cdn) and face shields each costs 2,500 KSh. We are unable to afford these. What we have are only masks and hands sanitizers.

On the topic of my social life, the Covid-19 pandemic has halted most social interactions with my patients and as well as my friends. This has interfered with a feeling of oneness, community and belonging. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused my family a lot of fear and worry. They are worried that am very much exposed to the virus at my place of work. Without proper protective gear I risk contracting the virus. Also I am now stigmatized because of the same. That means people do not want to approach me or get too close. It has affected me emotionally; however, psychologically I remain strong and steadfast in my commitment to service and to helping others.

All in all, despite the covid-19 pandemic I have mentioned, I am very healthy and stable. Our medical team is together and none of us has been so far infected with the Covid-19 virus. Each day we are praying hard to God Almighty to protect us all against the virus. Otherwise, I encourage you all to stay safe, keep social distance of 1.5M apart, always to sanitize your hands before touching your face or food and always put on face masks when in public.

NB: CES Canada has created a Covid19 Benevolent Fund. All donations will be designated 100% towards assisting our CES associates and graduate students in the daily lives to cope with daily necessities and challenges. For further information visit: www.cescan.ca