What Does it Take to be a Paramedic in Kibera?
November 13, 2025
“Saving lives is a calling for me. Every time I meet a patient I once helped in their moment of greatest need, it reminds me why I do what I do.”
“Saving lives is a calling for me. Every time I meet a patient I once helped in their moment of greatest need, it reminds me why I do what I do.”
“I call them my miracles.”
“Following the current funding cuts, the HIV infection rate has skyrocketed, and this has impacted prevention.”
Okoro says targeting high-risk, low-income communities in the initial rollout will ensure those who have historically faced barriers to treatment are not left behind.
“In our local context, these shots are especially promising for healthcare workers at higher risk of HIV exposure, such as maternity staff who frequently come into contact with blood and bodily fluids.”
“Communities like Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, are bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
To overcome barriers to care, CFK Africa established a Youth-Friendly Services Centre in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, where young people can receive vital support and treatment.
The youth-focused NGO says the situation poses a serious threat to the health, education, and future of young people in the community.
“Jeffrey reminded us that localization is more than a development buzzword—it is the practice of shifting leadership, power, and decision-making to local actors. It means ensuring that
“Stories emerging from clinics across the country paint a grim picture: stockpiles of critical drugs are depleting, patients are coping with advanced illness, and health workers are struggling with morale after widespread layoffs,” said Okoro.