CHS supported Nurse, Naomi Wanjiru, is one of the three winners of the 2015 Kochon Prize, for their outstanding contributions in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB). The Stop TB Partnership made the announcement during an award ceremony at the 46th Union World Conference held on Sunday, November 29, in Cape Town, South Africa. The Kochon Prize is awarded to unsung or unrecognised heroes who quietly and tirelessly make everyday miracles happen for people with TB.
On receiving the award, Naomi said, “I am humbled and similarly excited to receive the 2015 Kochon Prize Award. It is a distinguished honour, one that I do not take individual accolade for, but dedicate to all health workers and advocates dedicated to eliminating TB.”
“I am receiving this award on behalf of health workers who are constantly exposed to a number of infectious diseases and more particularly TB as they seek to save the lives of millions of patients across the world. These are individuals who are working selflessly to inspire hope but who are also at great risk of infection and potential stigma,” she added.
Six years ago, Naomi was diligently running the busy TB/HIV Clinic at Engineer District Hospital in Nyandarua. Seven months into her work, Naomi developed intense back pain, which was later diagnosed as TB of the spine. At this point, Naomi could barely walk without support. After completion of six months of anti-TB treatment, Naomi was cleared of TB. Following her remission, Naomi resumed her work at the TB clinic providing critical TB services despite continued back pain and discomfort.
Position of human lumbar vertebrae (shown in red). It consists of 5 bones, from top to down, L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5.
Two years later, Naomi visited an orthopaedic specialist from India who delivered grim news: TB had caused a collapse of lumbar vertebrates L 2, L 3 and L 4, and would require corrective surgery. Despite what she was up against, Naomi continued to work in the lead up to the operation.
Less than two months after a successful operation and weeks of intensive physiotherapy, Naomi was back at the clinic, providing health services to TB and HIV/AIDS patients. Read Naomi’s full story here.
Naomi’s predicament turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it prompted the need for action on prevention control at the TB clinic where she worked. The great risk that health workers faced due to the congested and poorly ventilated structure that housed the TB and HIV/AIDS clinics was brought to the attention of the hospital management.
With support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the hospital’s HIV/AIDS care and treatment partner Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya (CHS) undertook the construction of a three roomed TB clinic, with a spacious and well-ventilated waiting bay. This greatly improved infection control measures at the clinic and to date, no other health worker has been infected with TB.
Congratulating Naomi on her award, CHS CEO Dr Paul Wekesa said, “We are very glad to see Naomi receive this prestigious award. Four years ago, we got to see Naomi’s work and were able to see the gaps that existed and why she got exposed as she provided care to her patients.
“CHS then got to work to find solutions and we were able to improve her working conditions, put in place Infection Prevention Control (IPC) measures, and give Naomi and her colleagues a healthy and comfortable working environment.”
Acknowledging the support she received from CHS, Naomi said, “I would like to thank CHS for believing in me and nominating me for this prestigious award, as well as creating a notable impact in the fight against TB in Kenya.”
According to the Global Stop TB Partnership, working in TB can be very unrewarding especially for those who provide TB care and treatment knowing that they are at permanent risk of being infected and getting sick.
As Naomi explains, “When I was diagnosed with TB, I felt broken and I could have easily given up on my vocation. However, I did not think of leaving the medical profession because I believe that it is because of our strength and courage as health care workers that the battle against TB will be won.”
Even at great personal cost, Naomi’s heroism and dedication to the fight against TB is inspiring to patients and health workers alike. Her efforts and those of her fellow health workers at the TB treatment clinic contributed to a TB treatment success rate of 90% among patients attending the clinic in 2014. Her resolve to devote most of the Kochon Prize award to fight stigma associated with TB in Nyandarua County is even more admirable.
Congratulations Naomi, you are indeed a Hero!
For more information on the Kochon Award, read the press statement from the Global STOP TB Partnership.
