In January, we highlighted International Day of Education and the emphasis that FAME puts into the capacity building of its staff, by empowering Tanzanian healthcare workers with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to provide quality patient-centered care.

As a learning institution, we are committed not only to improving educational opportunities for our staff, but FAME’s healthcare workers conduct hospital-based patient education as part of their healthcare delivery. The education of the patients not only ensures informed decision-making but also increases the chances for positive outcomes as the patients are more likely to engage in their care. 

This week, we had a newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes case at FAME. Baraka* a 32-year-old Maasai man, walked into FAME feeling extremely tired and had difficulty walking. This was unusual for him as he is used to walking long distances with no problems at all. He thought he had malaria, and would quickly get some medicine and go home. Sadly, what he thought was malaria was in fact Type 1 diabetes. 

“I didn't know this disease existed. I do not know what it is.”

This is the first statement Baraka said to the medical staff when he was diagnosed. The staff took time to educate him on the disease: what it was, how to take care of yourself, and what to eat and why. 

With chronic illnesses such as diabetes, health literacy was of utmost importance. Limited knowledge about it would make it difficult for Baraka to successfully manage his condition, potentially leading to severe complications. Nurse Ameria James sat with him for hours going through everything he needed to learn. When she was done, she asked him questions until she was confident he understood the course of treatment and was self-confident in taking charge of his treatment.

“I am so happy about the treatment I have received. The doctors and nurses have patiently educated me about Type 1 diabetes and how to take care of myself. I have asked that they give this diabetes education to everyone so that more people are aware of this disease. If I wasn't chronically tired I wouldn't have come to FAME, and who knows how bad it would have gotten! I think it's important for people to know the symptoms to watch out for. When I go home, I am ready to follow everything I've learned here and if it's possible, I will take a doctor's number and call them if I have any problems.” 

After three nights at FAME, Baraka was discharged and went back to his village in Ngorongoro, 45 miles away.

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

Today is International Day of Education. Recognized by the United Nations, education is crucial in transforming the future currently entrenched inequalities.

At FAME, one of our core values is “lifelong learning” and we are dedicated to empowering Tanzanian healthcare workers with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to serve their patients well.

Dr. Ken Karanja, FAME’s Clinical Education Coordinator, explains FAME’s commitment to educating its staff: 

“My job as FAME’s Clinical Education Coordinator is to spearhead capacity building of our medical staff. We believe, and it has been our experience, that capacity-building interventions not only enhance knowledge but also build the confidence of our staff to handle difficult cases. FAME works in a rural setting, and our education is tailored to match our priorities and the context in which we work. Building capacity involves not only training the staff, but also mobilizing knowledge and support to promote the achievement of quality patient-centered care.”

Medical training takes place once a week with additional sessions set aside to review difficult cases and learn from them. Together with the doctor in charge, Dr. Karanja ensures that the medical staff is up to date with new developments in the medical field. FAME sponsors its staff to attend medical conferences around the country and beyond, who then come back and share what they learned. FAME has provided doctors with iPads equipped with different apps to enable them to research medical conditions quickly while on the job. 

FAME medical volunteers have been an instrumental part in building the capacity of and educating the FAME staff. Once at FAME, volunteers work directly with FAME staff to provide a rich and collaborative learning experience. Due to COVID-19, the volunteers that are not able to travel to Karatu teach over Zoom. This has allowed learning to continue throughout the pandemic. 

Since its inception, FAME has been growing and sustaining a medical facility that is an integral and vital part of our local community, through the continuous education and capacity building of our staff. Education and capacity building remains key strategic priority. 

Pictured: Volunteer Nurse Brad Snyder assists FAME’s Dr. Adam Likiliwike in a recent training session

It was the morning of January 17 when one-year-old Ali* was playing on the floor as his mother got his two siblings ready for school. 

As is customary, the mother used her gas cooker to boil some tea for her kids before school. As she served the tea, little Ali walked over to the sufuria (pot), slipped, and sat on the hot tea. He suffered extensive burns on his groin area, buttocks and thighs. 

“His siblings are only nine and six years old, so I was distracted and wasn't keeping an eye on him. I just heard him screaming, turned around to see him sitting in the hot sufuria with the tea. It had been raining all morning, so it was very cold and I had put lots of clothes on him. I quickly removed the clothes he was wearing”

Little Ali was screaming in pain when his mother rushed him to a local dispensary. Afraid that the injury was too extensive, the dispensary referred her to FAME. Ali’s mother took a bus from their home 20 miles away and got in a tuk-tuk (auto-rickshaw) for the last part of their journey to FAME. Once they arrived, the medical team jumped into action. 

“When we got here I was crying harder than my child! I was hysterical. I felt so guilty. It was my fault that I wasn't watching him closely. I was also very confused. I didn't know where to go, I had no sense of direction. Everyone was so helpful. The doctor even helped me carry my bag as I was overwhelmed.”

The team admitted little Ali and his mother, and after three nights at FAME’s inpatient ward he was ready to go home. 

“I am blown away by the medical attention here. Ali is better now and he doesn’t cry from pain anymore. When the nurse came to change his bandages, she was so gentle with him. I’m very happy. Thank you FAME. I have to mention how good the food is. They always asked me what Ali wanted to eat and what he liked! With all this good service I was very scared about the hospital bill as I do not have much money. I work in a hair salon. But I have received the bill and I can afford it! I even have a little money left over!”

This was not the first time that Ali’s mother has been to FAME. Several years ago she brought her oldest daughter to FAME after the little girl pushed a sponge up her nose. On that visit, they did not have to spend the night and were able to return home the same day.

Ali is now home and set for a full recovery. 

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

It was early morning after a heavy downpour when Mingati*, a Maasai pastoralist, took his cattle out to graze. The grass was wet and slippery, causing Mingati to lose his footing and fall. In a moment of bad luck, Mingati landed forcibly on his cattle herd stick, puncturing his lower eyelid.

Bleeding profusely and in extreme pain, Mingati started the long journey to FAME from his village in the heart of Ngorongoro district, over 30 miles away. Once at FAME, he was treated by Sehewa Mganga, a RN and FAME’s Head Anesthetist. Originally trained as an ophthalmic assistant and with 10 years practicing optometry, Sehewa quickly examined Mingati and assessed the extent of the damage. The herd stick had completely punctured Mingati’s eyelid and conjunctiva, and an operation was urgently needed to save his eye.

Sehewa performed the operation, which required incredible precision. Any misstep would lead to permanent blindness. Mingati was in good hands with Sehewa and the operation was a success. After four days at FAME, he was able to return home with only a couple of follow-up visits needed.

Without FAME, Mingati would have had to go to Arusha for his surgery, making his journey over 90 miles long. Happy with the quality of healthcare and the professionalism of the staff, Mingati promised to recommend FAME to all his friends.

“I’m very happy with FAME. I want to say thank you. After the accident, there was so much blood. I was sure I was blind. FAME has made me see again and now I’m happy to go home and see my cows, and my children too!”

-Mingati

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share his photo and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.

On Monday, December 13, 2021, FAME doctors and nurses sprung into action to treat a motor vehicle accident with several injuries, including  the driver of the vehicle, a 40 year old man, who was unconscious and had shallow respirations. FAME’s medical team also took all the steps to treat a 6 year old boy with a cut on his hand, who was crying loudly. The emergency trauma team gathered and had decisions to make. What should be done first as part of triage and assessment? What should they investigate as part of the primary survey? What potential complications could arise with each patient? 

While this sounds just like another normal day in the emergency room at FAME, today there were no actual patients. This week, 10 nurses and doctors were engaged in a five day, intensive, hands-on International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) training. 

The ITLS training for emergency care providers is an intensive program focused on preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care. This practical, hands-on training covers all skills necessary for rapid assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and transportation of trauma patients.

The main aim of emergency medicine departments is quick recognition and treatment of injuries which pose a severe threat to patients' life in significant order of priority. In line with our mission to provide quality patient-centered care and improve emergency trauma care in Tanzania, FAME sponsored this training for its medical staff. Led by external trainers, the training  took place over five days at the FAME Karatu campus. 

“Having Basic Life Support (BLS) and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) training has given me new knowledge and skills in emergency trauma care. Now that I possess these new skills, I have increased confidence in providing the best care for my patients. I am more assured of saving the life of a patient in cardiac arrest or any trauma patient that I encounter. I thank  FAME management for taking the initiative to provide medical staff with continuous medical education opportunities. Knowledge is power.”

-Dr. Ken Karanja, FAME’s Clinical Education Coordinator

FAME is heavily invested in capacity building for its staff by providing continuing medical education opportunities and professional support. From the beginning, we have endeavored to equip our Tanzanian doctors and nurses with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to serve patients with high quality treatment and care.

On top of on-campus multi-day training programs like ITLS, FAME has a volunteer program which offers a collaborative learning experience for both our Tanzanian team and international volunteers, and a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to FAME staff interested in pursuing continued education. So far 13 staff members have benefitted from FAME’s scholarship program.