Angelica was helped by Vespa without a trip to the hospital

Angelica is an 8 year old girl that was brought into our Rota, Kenya, dispensary severely dehydrated and suffering from pneumonia.  Thanks to your generous support the dispensary has a clinical officer, Vespa, rare for the region.  She was able to diagnose Angelica and treat her with oral rehydration salts, intermuscular antibiotics (see vial next to her on the desk), and amoxicillin (see the pink bottle).  Angelica spent several hours at the clinic in bed until Vespa was sure she was able to tolerate fluids and then sent home with her medications. She did well.

Dehydration from any cause is one of the top five causes of death in children in the developing world. Most of the time this is due to poor access to healthcare. Rota is the only dispensary in the Kisumu area of 2 million which provides medication to its patients and is also one of the only ones with a clinical officer. This may have well saved Angelica’s life as the nearest hospital is 15 km away and many families are unable to travel that far.

Thank you all for your generous support that makes sure Vespa can help children like Angelica for a full month!