This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Kenya, concerns are growing over the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in local hospitals.
According to Health Director-General Patrick Amoth, the procedures required for ICU patients are complex and time-consuming, making it challenging for healthcare workers to provide adequate care.
“If the numbers of those in need of critical care go up, we will not be able to have the adequate numbers of the healthcare worker to offer this service,” Amoth warned.
Recent data from the Health Ministry revealed that 78 out of 225 coronavirus patients admitted to ICU have died, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Experts have also pointed out that patients who recover after ICU treatment may be left with long-term disabilities, including muscle wasting, organ damage, and brain damage.
Studies have shown that Covid-19 patients who spend time in the ICU are prone to physical, cognitive, and mental health problems after discharge.
Researchers are working to identify the causes of long-term symptoms, with the aim of developing targeted treatments to help patients recover.
