In 2002, Hannah Gachoka, a certified nurse, opened her own clinic in Thika, the largest town in the county of Kiambu, Kenya. With limited equipment and knowledge, Gachoka ended up referring more patients elsewhere than she diagnosed and treated at her own clinic.
Today, Gachoka’s clinic is booming. She has her own laboratory and provides a range of health care services, such as screening and treatment for cervical cancer, ante-natal and postnatal services, family planning, HIV testing, care and counseling, immunizations for children and minor surgeries such as circumcision. Recently, she was also able to secure a loan for ultrasound equipment, for which she could earn 1,500-2,000 ($15-20) Kenyan shillings per patient.
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About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
