KNA007
Violence Survivors
Nairobi July 15, 2010 by Naliston Kibuthu
AON MINET Insurance Broker LTD today donated hospital facilities worth 400,000 shillings to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to aid in the upkeep of the Patient Support Center which cares for the victims of domestic violence and gives them hope to overcome the stigma caused by their past experiences.
The Patient Support Centre was launched in May 2008 and has offered services to approximately 1800 survivors from different parts of the country, its youngest being a two month victim of sexual violence.
Speaking during the event, Chief Executive Officer KNH Dr, J.N Micheni said that the challenges facing the center included lack of finances to support both the outpatients and inpatient services for the survivors, limited legal presentations, stigma and threats that prevent clients from giving appropriate information as well as safe accommodation for survivors.
“It is in this view that we seek partnership from individuals, corporate institutions and non-governmental organizations from both local and international so as to make this most needed service accessible to the violence survivors,” he added.
Micheni also said that noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse is the first step to ending it.
Elizabeth Mukhisa a nurse in the center said that it was not an easy task to deal with the patients, it takes one to be courageous to avoid being affected by the pressure that comes along with the counseling.
“To affectively deal with the patients you need to observe, listen, and remain non judgmental, be survivor friendly and maintain confidentiality,” she said.
The survivors whose names were withheld to avoid future occurrences to them gave their testimonies which ranged from rape cases, battering and other cases of domestic violence that led them to the Patient Support Center for treatment and counseling.
The center offers holistic and comprehensive medical, psychological and psychiatric services to survivors of sexual violence which involves six months counseling, legal assistance and advice for their safety where necessary.
Ends……………….. Edited by Wangari Ndirangu
Violence Survivors
Nairobi July 15, 2010 by Naliston Kibuthu
AON MINET Insurance Broker LTD today donated hospital facilities worth 400,000 shillings to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to aid in the upkeep of the Patient Support Center which cares for the victims of domestic violence and gives them hope to overcome the stigma caused by their past experiences.
The Patient Support Centre was launched in May 2008 and has offered services to approximately 1800 survivors from different parts of the country, its youngest being a two month victim of sexual violence.
Speaking during the event, Chief Executive Officer KNH Dr, J.N Micheni said that the challenges facing the center included lack of finances to support both the outpatients and inpatient services for the survivors, limited legal presentations, stigma and threats that prevent clients from giving appropriate information as well as safe accommodation for survivors.
“It is in this view that we seek partnership from individuals, corporate institutions and non-governmental organizations from both local and international so as to make this most needed service accessible to the violence survivors,” he added.
Micheni also said that noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse is the first step to ending it.
Elizabeth Mukhisa a nurse in the center said that it was not an easy task to deal with the patients, it takes one to be courageous to avoid being affected by the pressure that comes along with the counseling.
“To affectively deal with the patients you need to observe, listen, and remain non judgmental, be survivor friendly and maintain confidentiality,” she said.
The survivors whose names were withheld to avoid future occurrences to them gave their testimonies which ranged from rape cases, battering and other cases of domestic violence that led them to the Patient Support Center for treatment and counseling.
The center offers holistic and comprehensive medical, psychological and psychiatric services to survivors of sexual violence which involves six months counseling, legal assistance and advice for their safety where necessary.
Ends……………….. Edited by Wangari Ndirangu
