By Wasike Elvis
Joyce, a resident of Londiani in Kericho County, is grateful to be alive after a traumatic road accident that left her with severe spinal injuries. The accident occurred on November 27, 2024, as Joyce was heading to Tanzania’s Southern Mbea County. After the crash, she was taken to Mbea Hospital, a level four medical facility, before being transferred to a zonal hospital about seven kilometers away. However, despite the hospital’s efforts, Joyce's critical spinal injury went untreated due to the lack of a specialized doctor.
After receiving inadequate care at the local hospital, Joyce, determined to get the help she urgently needed, attempted to return to the hospital for further treatment but was unsuccessful. Faced with no option but to travel back to Kenya, Joyce's health took a turn for the worse. "I was in so much pain, and the injury to my spine required immediate attention. I couldn't find a doctor to treat me," Joyce explained.
Five days later, after landing at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Joyce was taken to Kijabe Hospital. Unfortunately, the spine specialist she needed had gone on leave, leaving Joyce in a difficult position. As a last resort, Joyce’s family reached out to Dr. Florentius Koech of Tophill Hospital, a well-regarded healthcare institution located farther away in Kericho County.
With no time to spare, the team at Tophill Hospital responded promptly, sending an ambulance to transport Joyce. She arrived at Tophill Hospital at approximately 5:30 p.m., where she was swiftly attended to by Dr. Koech and the hospital’s dedicated staff. "When I arrived, I was in excruciating pain. But Dr. Koech and his team immediately began working on me," Joyce said.
Dr. Koech, a skilled spinal surgeon, performed urgent surgery to repair the damage to Joyce’s spine, alleviating her pain. "The pain was unbearable, and I feared for my future. But after the surgery, the relief was almost instant. I no longer experience the pain I had before, and I can feel a significant improvement," Joyce said, her voice filled with gratitude.
As part of her recovery process, Joyce has been undergoing physiotherapy and is steadily regaining strength in her legs. "I can now move my legs, and I am hopeful that very soon, I will be walking again," she shared, a smile of optimism returning to her face.
Joyce expressed deep gratitude for the care she received at Tophill Hospital. "I am so thankful to Dr. Koech and his team for their exceptional care. The nurses were kind, the food was great, and everyone made me feel at home. Their level of service was beyond what I expected. May God bless them for the difference they have made in my life," she said.
The timely intervention at Tophill Hospital not only saved Joyce's life but also gave her a renewed sense of hope for the future. "I will forever be grateful to Tophill Hospital for their top-notch care and for giving me a second chance at life. I can now see a future where I can walk again and continue to live my life without the pain that once consumed me."
Joyce’s story is a testament to the critical role that accessible, specialized medical care plays in saving lives and transforming the outcomes of severe injuries. Thanks to the quick actions of Dr. Koech and the team at Tophill Hospital, Joyce's future is now looking brighter than ever.
