05/06/2026
A day in the life of a caregiver! Being the primary is not for the faint-hearted.
Caring for a sick parent while navigating your own storms can be emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially draining.
Today was clinic day for my mum, and I usually say that on clinic days, there is little else you can do because by the end of it, you are completely exhausted.
We were at Kenyatta Hospital by 6:30 a.m. to secure a good number in the queue. If you arrive late, the lines are overwhelming, which meant I was up by 5 a.m. (and I am definitely not a morning person 😭).
We saw the doctor at around 9 a.m. A new system has been introduced, and while they are still figuring it out, our consultation took about 30–45 minutes. After that began the search for the prescribed medication. The main KNH pharmacy only had the antacid in stock.
Curious, I asked one of the attendants why so many medicines were unavailable. He explained that because the financial year is ending, they have not purchased much medication as funds for the new fiscal year have not yet been released ( Something in those lines). For a moment, I thought, "Do you realize you are dealing with human lives? This is healthcare." But then again, welcome to Kenya.
I headed to the pharmacy at the private wing in search of the medication while my mum queued to get her next clinic appointment. Today, appointments were being done manually because of the system challenges.
One thing I noticed today is how much better I regulated myself emotionally. There was a time when my mum was literally fighting for her life in a hospital bed, and I experienced some of the hardest moments of my life within those hospital walls. Compared to that season, today felt manageable. I am grateful that she can now walk, see her doctor, receive treatment, and return home.
Perhaps that's how we slowly get used to systems and services that should be better.
That said, I must commend the doctors. They are incredibly dedicated, patient, and committed despite the challenges around them.
Hospital days also have a way of putting life into perspective. You meet people battling illnesses far more severe than your own struggles, and you leave with a renewed sense of gratitude for the gift of health.
To all caregivers carrying this responsibility every day, I see you. It is not easy, but your love, sacrifice, and presence matter more than you know.
