This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
‘We won’t refuse someone in need’: the paramedics taking on Nairobi’s slum ¶
Evalyne Nyangweso, a trained nurse and entrepreneur, has dedicated her life to providing medical care to the people of Kibera, Africa’s largest slum. Her ambulance service, Rapid Response Paramedics, has been operating in the unforgiving community for three years, facing numerous challenges along the way.
With a population of 250,000, Kibera is plagued by poor health, disease, and high crime rates. Traditional ambulances often refuse to enter the area, and even the police tread carefully. Nyangweso and her crew, however, are the first responders to medical emergencies, often encountering extreme situations.
From domestic violence to gang rape, the paramedics face a wide range of cases. Punctuality and compassion are key, and failure can result in being pelted with stones by frustrated bystanders. The conditions in Kibera are harsh, with homes constructed of timber stakes, mud walls, and corrugated steel roofs built on animal and human waste. Cholera and typhoid are rife, along with HIV, which infects 60% of the adult population.
Nyangweso remains dedicated to her work, monitoring response times and ensuring that her team is on call 24/7. The liveried vehicles sit on standby in Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens car park from 8am to 6pm, six days a week, and staff are on call throughout the night.
Despite the challenges, Nyangweso is proud of her team and the work they do. She is particularly concerned about the welfare of women in Kibera, who face numerous difficulties, including domestic violence and rape. The paramedics often encounter cases of rape, particularly targeting young girls, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
‘Life is hard for women,’ Nyangweso says. ‘I don’t know why they have so many children, when both parents are not working. The men are idle, drinking alcohol all day, it’s up to women to fetch food for the family. When they get home their men take their money to buy more drink. There will be a quarrel – he’s drunk, feels inferior and unable to provide for the family. That’s why there are a lot of rapes and domestic violence. It’s brutal, men use sticks, pangas (machetes) and knives on women.'
Nyangweso’s primary concern is for the victims of rape, who often run away, making it difficult for the paramedics to provide assistance. The police station in Kibera is often reluctant to take action, and corruption can get involved, leading to the case being ignored.
