One afternoon, while trying to move around her house, Beatrice, a 27-year-old mother of one in Bondo was hit by an unfamiliar sharp pain in her belly. The pain was so intense that she could barely move. Initially, she thought it was just the usual pregnancy discomfort, but when the pain persisted, she knew she needed help. To try and regain her strength she sat down and tried to breathe slowly. She got her phone and asked PROMPTS, a two-way messaging platform that the nurse at the Bondo County Hospital had enrolled her on, ‘I have a painful belly ache and difficulty walking. What should I do?’. Within minutes she received an answer advising her to immediately go to her nearest health facility, Bondo County Hospital.
Following the advice provided by our clinical helpdesk, Beatrice went to Bondo County Hospital. After several tests, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, a condition she hadn’t experienced during her first pregnancy. The nurse assured her that the condition was manageable but required close monitoring. They advised her to take a break from her daily work as a shopkeeper to stabilize her blood pressure to better her and her baby’s health.
Beatrice was given a strict regimen to follow: rest, proper medication, and regular blood pressure checks. Although the advice was straightforward, implementing it amidst her responsibilities was challenging. Reluctantly, Beatrice decided to take a break from her busy lifestyle.
Mary Nyonda, Beatrice’s local Community Health Promoter, played a crucial role in supporting her as well. Mary visited Beatrice regularly and checked her blood pressure on each visit. She helped Beatrice stay on track with her treatments and ensured she didn’t overexert herself. With Mary’s help and PROMPTS, Beatrice learned to manage her stress, adjust her diet, and rest when needed—actions that helped stabilize her condition.
Mary Nyonda at Beatrice’s home in Bondo Subcounty in Siaya County Western Region
“The messaging platform helped me by constantly reminding me of my checkups, medication and gave me more information about the best diet. With the CHP and the messages, I worried less and less.” Wesley Paul
