This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
At Avenue Hospital in Nairobi, 23-year-old Pixie Dorcas lies bedridden, her life hanging in the balance due to a life-threatening condition that began as depression.
According to her housemate, Christine Kangai, Pixie has been battling hypertension and depression since May, and was initially treated with over-the-counter medication.
However, after being rushed to MP Shah hospital and subsequently referred to Avenue Hospital, Pixie's condition worsened, and she was placed on intensive care for 18 days.
As of June 4, 2020, the medical bill had reached Sh2.6 million, but by last week, it had jumped to Sh3.5 million.
Christine explained that Pixie's kidneys were severely affected, and she has been undergoing dialysis twice a week since leaving the ICU.
Despite being moved to the general wards, Pixie's health remains precarious, and she is still reliant on her own feeding.
Published on June 21, 2020, this story highlights the desperate struggle of a young orphan facing unaffordable medical bills in Kenya.
