COVID-19: Nurse receives commendation from Kenyan president - Press Release issued by Aga Khan University.

Karachi -- June 19, 2020 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Aga Khan University (AKU)

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Zeddy Chepchirchir Komen, an alumna of the Aga Khan University's School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM), has received state recognition for her efforts in helping effectively handle and contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.

Komen, who graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, was among 68 Kenyans who received the Presidential Order of Service (Uzalendo Award) on June 1, 2020. The award celebrates Kenyans who have demonstrated exceptional service in various sectors.

In 2015, Komen was one of the nurses who volunteered to help in the response against Ebola in Liberia and went on to receive two gold medals: one from the African Union and another from former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. During her voluntary service, she received training on infection prevention and control from the World Health Organization.

We spoke to Komen who is currently the nurse in-charge of the Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at Kenyatta National Hospital about her experience on the frontlines of COVID-19, her previous experience and the new state recognition.

When did you decide you were going to be a nurse?

When growing up, my father once told me that I look like a nurse and I haven't looked back ever since. I started my nursing profession at Park Road Nursing Home before moving on to the maternity ward at Guru Nanak Hospital, taking care of mothers and their babies. I worked at the paediatrics department at Kenyatta National Hospital before I moved to the Infectious Disease Unit. I am passionate about taking care of children, caring and supporting those who cannot support themselves. That is why I chose to become a nurse.

You've been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, tell us about your experience so far.

When the first case of COVID-19 was announced in the country, I knew very well I would end up working at the Corona Treatment Centre. My preparation in dealing with the pandemic dates back to 2015, during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa where I was among the 170 medical health workers who volunteered to go and support in the response against the virus. I went to Monrovia, Liberia, which was an unforgettable experience. Ebola is more infectious than COVID-19 and its mortality rates were over 90 per cent at the time. Many hospitals had closed down after losing their workforce. Most of us who went to West Africa...