Muthetheni, Kenya
The Muthetheni Clinic has been providing health services to approximately 25,000 people in the Machakos District since 1993. Major medical concerns of the community include: fungal infections, malnutrition, malaria, typhoid, sanitation, water contamination, AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and prenatal and post-natal care. Our staff provides rudimentary diagnostic services, treatments and medications to patients.
The clinic stands on approximately three acres of government-donated land. The structures on the property include a 4,000-ft clinic building that holds two multipurpose rooms, a staff apartment and a general purpose building. There is no public electricity at the clinic. The clinic and community use kerosene as a major fuel source for lighting and either firewood or charcoal for cooking. The water supply comes from rainwater that is stored in a 60,000 gallon in-ground cistern.
Along with medical care, the clinic hosts other ministries such as periodic evangelism, discipleship training and pastoral training seminars. A Bible study correspondence program is also currently reaching hundreds of school children in the area.
Patient fees cover about 20 percent of the cost to operate the clinic, and as a result, the clinic must be subsidized by grants and private contributors.
The clinic needs funds to complete updates to the facilities to allow additional services to be offered. The following is a list of projects to be completed:
1) Install a solar-powered electrical system to run low-powered lights and a refrigerator
· Estimated cost: $4,300
2) Build and install a laboratory counter and cabinets
· Estimated cost: $600
3) Drill a new water well and install a new pumping system
· Estimated cost: $11,000
4) Seal the bottom of the cistern to stop leaks
· Estimated cost: $600
5) Modify the interior rooms of the clinic to accommodate additional services
· Estimated cost: $1,500
6) Purchase and install a generator electrical system for powering high-intensity lights
· Estimated cost: $8,250
7) Purchase laboratory, prenatal and minor surgery equipment
· Estimated cost: $6,700
8) Add to the medical staff
· Estimated cost: $1,050 per month
