Medical Mercy - Kenya

LOCATION:   Nairobi, Kenya
DATES:  August 20-30, 2010
TRIP COST: Approx. $3,500

Click here for Kenya trip information in PDF format.

Map of Kenya
Click on map for larger view.

 

Trip Application:
Co-Team Leaders: David H. Beyda, MD and Kelly Ramsland, RN
Team Medical Officer: David H. Beyda, MD
Crisis Response Director: David H. Beyda, MD
Communication Officers: Field Team: David H. Beyda, MD / USA Office: Jack Eans
Field Contact: Hapi Wanje

Emergency Contact Information

Families should try to contact team members in the evening at the hotels listed below (subject to hotel change).
For extreme emergencies, your family may try to reach Dr. Beyda via the following:
1. Dr. Beyda’s World Wide Cellular: 602-228-8983
2. Dr. Beyda’s UK world phone: 011 44 7872 856304 (direct dial from the US)
3. Email: dbeyda@cox.net (email will be checked periodically.)
Please register your travel with the state department before your departure, the link for Arizona is as follows: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

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Cost: Approx. $3,500

Final costs will be determined once airfare is confirmed and final budgets are established. Trip cost will also be less for double occupancy rooms. All trip costs are tax deductable. The total cost will include all flights, hotel, uniforms, taxes, food, transportation, laundry, all in country hires and expenses. Travel Insurance will also be provided for emergency medical care and luggage loss. All incidentals such as long distance calls, etc. will be the team member’s responsibility.

Note: Price subject to increases until airfare is booked and confirmed and deposit received.
Note: Airport meals on travel days and desserts are generally not included, unless otherwise informed by team leaders while on the field.

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Cancellation Policy

If you cancel after airfare has been secured then the $300 non-refundable deposit will go toward what loss is acquired in refunding the ticket. If the loss exceeds the $300 deposit, you are responsible for the difference. If at the point of cancellation you have sent in your trip funds, they will be returned to you minus anything you may owe for the canceling of your ticket above the $300. If a paper ticket has been obtained for you, your ticket will be mailed to you and it is up to you to contact the airline and preserve any potential value of your airline ticket for future travel. The same applies for an electronic ticket. It is the traveler’s responsibility to preserve any future value of the e-ticket. We generally secure low cost restrictive airfare so you do risk loss of part or all of this value.

If you cancel less than 2 weeks prior to departure, then a $250.00 donation will be recorded for Medical Mercy and a tax receipt mailed to you. Then the balance of your funds will be returned to you.

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Trip Itinerary

Friday Aug. 20 - Depart from phoenix 6 AM, meet at airport at 3:30 AM
Saturday Aug. 21 - Traveling through Chicago and London, then arrive in Nairobi at 8:50 PM Go to Fairview hotel for one night.
Sunday Aug. 22 - The team will be flying to Malindi in two groups, the first group leaving at 9 AM, the second group leaving at 12:45 PM. Working on moving all to 9am flight. Once we arrive in Malindi we will do necessary preparation for the first day of clinic and possably some free time. Sunday afternoon Dr. Beyda will be conducting a review lecture for the Healthcare Workers who will be joining us for the week.
Monday Aug. 23 - Clinic day #1
Tuesday Aug. 24 - Clinic day #2
Wednesday Aug. 25 - Clinic day #3
Thursday Aug. 26 - Clinic day #4
Friday Aug. 27 - Clinic day #5
Saturday Aug. 28 - Free day and safari starts, details of safari TBD, it is a plan in progress.
Sunday Aug. 29 - Safari continues and team departs at 7:50 PM to head to home. Flights will depart from Mombasa.
Monday Aug. 30 - Team arrives home at 6:55 PM

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Departure

Medical Mercy will be securing all flight arrangements and your specific itinerary will be sent to you once arrangements are made. You are responsible for your seat selection. You can do this by contacting the airline on your itinerary once that is confirmed.

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Luggage

You may bring two bags to check in and one carry-on bag plus a purse or briefcase (airlines call this a “personal item”). One bag should be for your personal belongings and the other bag will be for medicines, equipment, supplies etc. This will allow us space for Medical Mercy clinic luggage and space on our vehicles in country. If you are not departing from Phoenix and are bringing extra supplies for the team you may bring two bags, if you are not bringing extra supplies for the team, please bring only one bag.

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Hotels

Medical Mercy has made reservations as a group. Please note that phone calls from Kenya will be expensive, and you should plan buy a phone card to use. Quad band and international phones should work in Nairobi and Malindi.

The hotel we will be at for the majority of the trip is the Tamani Jua Resort- Malindi
http://www.hotelsmombasa.com/malindi_hotels_and_villas.html

As far as we know there is no internet access or Wi-Fi avalable there.

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Target Community

Map Click on map for larger view.

Malindi is a small resort town in the East Coast of Kenya with a population of about 350,000 people. It is some 650 KM from the capital city Nairobi. It takes 1hr by air or 10 hours by bus. Malindi is a town with a mixed population due to its attraction to tourists. However the predominant community of Malindi is mainly the Mijikenda tribes and the Moslem community.

The MoM children in Malindi Kenya are our first priority. Then we will see their families and the community.

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Facts and Figures

Location: Eastern Africa, off the Indian Ocean, east of Uganda, west of Somalia
Capital City: Nairobi
Population: 34,707,817
Other major towns and cities: Nakuru, Eldoret, Lamu, Malindi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, Mombasa, Naivasha
Religion: Christian, Islam, Hindu, Traditional, Others
Languages: English, Swahili are the official languages, Indigenous
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh)

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Time Zone

Kenya is 10 hours ahead of Phoenix. You can check the weather, dialing codes and time at this link: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=170

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Voltage

The voltage in Kenya is 230-50 hz http://international-electrical-supplies.com/electricguide.html

Kenya Plug Adapter WA-7, WA-10, #5 & #6

Kenya Plug Adapters

For more information please visit: http://international-electrical-supplies.com/kenya-plug-adapter.html

You may also consider taking a voltage converter and surge protector. For more information please visit:
http://international-electrical-supplies.com/voltage-converter.html.

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Climate

Average temperture in August is 69-82 F
http://www.classicescapes.com/ke-weather.html

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Attire

On clinic days scrubs should be worn. if you do not have Medical Mercy scrubs from a previous trip, some will be sent to you, they have our logo on them. Please wash and return these scrubs at the end of the trip. We try to look as professional as possible. Outside of the clinic casual attire is acceptable. Women may also wear slacks, knee length shorts, modest jewelry and make-up (do not take valuable jewelry or watches with you and ladies may choose not to bring valuable wedding rings but opt for a simple band instead.

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Currency

1 USD = 80.63 KES (Kenyan Shilling)

The Kenyan Shilling is the official currency and current exchange rate is about 80.63 to the dollar. Credit Cards may be accepted by some better merchant shops and will secure the best rate of exchange on the international banking market for that day. Cash in USD is recommended to be brought and then exchanged in country. Be sure bills are clean and not torn. USD is not accepted for any type of payment, not even for tips. Banks and Hotels will exchange money for us. Travelers Checks are not recommended.

***More current conversions are available online, as they change daily.

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Safety

Team members should not travel without a buddy and should not travel apart from the group without special arrangements with the team leaders. Your passport, all currency, credit cards and the like should be carried in safe fashion such as in an over-the-neck/under the shirt or around the waist travel wallet. Pickpockets are quite good at getting to pockets, belt-packs and over-the-shoulder purses or cameras.

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Packing List

Please pack all items into one carry on and one piece of luggage to be checked. This allows all team members to check a second Medical Mercy bag with medications and supplies. Extra baggage is very expensive and not included in our budget. Plan to pack at least one change of under clothes in your carry on as sometimes luggage arrives late.

Standard List
Medical Mercy Polo Shirt - to be worn for travel (will be sent to you with scrubs)
Casual clothes that are neat in appearance
Medical Mercy Scrubs 2 sets
A light jacket
A warm sweatshirt or pullover
Swimsuit
Hat
Toiletries
Personal medications for chronic medical problems
Bible and Notebook
Camera, memorey cards, chargers and batteries
Passport and a copy that you keep in a seperate spot from your passport
Itinerary
Wallet and cash (usually $100-200 U.S. is adequate for souvenirs)
Credit card for emergencies
Secure carrier for cash/credit card, etc.
Alcohol Gel Hand Cleanser 1 bottle to share at clinic, one small size for personal use
Set of earplugs in case your roommate snores!
Travel alarm clock
Reading material for flights
Sunglasses
Small bottle of mosquito/ bug repellant
Sunscreen
Kleenex (pocket variety) –TP is a luxury!
Safety pin or two
Travel size laundry soap
Plastic kitchen trash bag for wet/dirty clothing/shoes and general purpose
Snacks-protein bars, nuts and crystal light mixes to add to a H2O bottle, it is up to you
1 large bag of dum dums for the kids we see

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Medical Equipment (if you are an Examiner)

Stethoscope
Sphygmomanometer (B.P. Cuff)
Oto/Ophthalmoscope with tips (battery powered are best but not mandatory)
Scissor
Reflex Hammer
Pen light or flashlight
Anything else packable that you use often in your practice

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MEDICAL

Summary of recommendations obtained from: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/kenya.php.
And as always the CDC is an excellent source of information as you make vaccination decisions.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/kenya.aspx

All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic at least 4-8 weeks before departure.
Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for all areas except Nairobi and the highlands (above 2500m) of Central, Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western Provinces.

Vaccines

Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers

Typhoid

Recommended for all travelers

Yellow fever

Recommended for all travelers greater than nine months of age

Polio

One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult

Hepatitis B

For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than six months

Rabies

For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given

Tetanus-diphtheria

Revaccination recommended every 10 years

Note:
** Obtaining a prescription for medication for traveler’s diarrhea is recommended.

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Sunburn

We will at times be exposed to some fairly intense sun, particularly on our free day outings so wearing a hat and sunscreen is highly advisable.

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Dehydration

Working in hot, tropical climates makes it easy to get dehydrated. Bottled water will be provided for the team and you should make a conscious effort to stay hydrated during the week even when things get busy in the clinic. Signs of dehydration include nausea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, lethargy, decreased urine output and dark/concentrated urine that may burn. Later more ominous signs include decreased sweating and hot dry skin. Please report any ill feelings to a team leader immediately. You may want to bring powder electrolyte replacement packets for your water.

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Food Borne Illness

We take all precautions to select “safe” restaurants and if local churches are cooking meals to follow our strict guidelines on hygiene and appropriate food preparation. Please follow team leaders advise while on the trip. Keep hands washed and use the alcohol gel cleansers frequently and particularly before meals. Avoid artificial nails and keep fingernails clean as well. At times illness does occur despite the best efforts of prevention so be sure to report any fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea to the medical director.

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Illness

Please inform the team physician if you are feeling ill during the trip. The team medical officer will be well equipped to deal with any acute illness among team members. Insurance will be provided for accident, illness and/or emergency evacuation.

If after arriving home you experience any illness, but particularly fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, excessive diarrhea, please seek immediate medical attention from your physician and inform them that you have been overseas and to which country. This will greatly aid in rapid diagnosis and treatment.

 

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