A lifesaving odyssey: the tale of Baby Mary

In the dynamic landscape of medical assistance and medical transports, where unforeseen situations can cast a shadow of uncertainty and helplessness, AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) emerges as a trusted partner and one-stop solution, offering global medical escort services next to its wellknown air ambulance transports.

This extraordinary medical service involves a highly specialised team of healthcare professionals – nurses and doctors – each armed with a wealth of experience in critical care, emergency medicine, and pre-hospital care. Their mission: to facilitate the safe transport of patients facing a diverse array of medical conditions, ranging from traumatic injuries to complex chronic illnesses like stroke, cardiac disease, and even psychiatric disorders, on commercial carriers.

The primary clientele for AFD’s medical escort service comprises patients with travel insurance coverage, a demographic that often opts for extended hospital stays to be fit to travel on commercial carriers. This strategic choice is made by assistance companies in lieu of the more financially burdensome air ambulance alternative. The orchestration of a commercial escort flight is a complex and multifaceted endeavour, demanding meticulous planning that factors in the patient’s fitness to fly, potential discomfort to fellow passengers, and logistical challenges such as layovers and connecting flights.

A relationship with Kenya Airways

In navigating these intricacies, AFD has established a symbiotic partnership with Kenya Airways, the national carrier, which plays a pivotal role in the success of each mission. This collaboration facilitates the medical clearance of patients and ensures the seamless coordination of travel arrangements, thereby underscoring the critical role that collaboration and strategic alliances play in achieving optimal outcomes in the realm of medical escorts.

Moreover, AFD’s in-house dedicated ticketing agency plays a crucial role in securing cost-effective prices for last-minute flight bookings at any hour of the day. This becomes particularly vital in scenarios where time is of the essence, and the urgency of the situation requires prompt and efficient response. In addition, visa arrangements for medical escorts are streamlined, ensuring a state of constant readiness for prompt deployment to any corner of the globe.

A young, vulnerable patient

The compelling narrative of AFD’s medical escort service finds its most poignant expression in the heartfelt story of Baby Mary – a case that truly underscores the lifesaving potential of this innovative approach. Born with a complex congenital heart disease, Baby Mary faced a critical health crisis at just seven months old. A strategic alliance between AFD, a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon in Chennai, India, and the determined father created a lifeline for the infant, illustrating how collaborative efforts can transform despair into hope.

The initial consideration of utilising an air ambulance was overshadowed by the weight of cost constraints, prompting the exploration of the commercial carrier option. Dr Joseph Lelo, AFD’s Medical Director, engaged in extensive consultations with the family and worked closely with Kenya Airways to craft a comprehensive plan. The result was a meticulously coordinated effort involving AFD’s medical team, Kenya Airways personnel, and an Indian critical care medical team.

The journey begins

The odyssey commenced on Christmas Eve, with the AFD medical escort team overseeing the safe transport of Baby Mary. The journey, while not without its challenges, showcased the team’s expertise, dedication, and seamless collaboration with Kenya Airways, ensuring a smooth and secure transfer. Baby Mary, requiring sedation throughout the flight and equipped with an oral gastric tube for supplemental feeding, remained stable during the sixhour journey to Mumbai.

Upon arrival, a transition to an airport ambulance marked the next phase of the odyssey. Accompanied by parents and the AFD medical team, Baby Mary met the next medical contingent, who assumed responsibility for the infant’s care. The subsequent two-hour flight to Chennai witnessed Baby Mary’s continued stability, culminating in a safe arrival at the hospital where the critical procedure awaited.

While the decision to utilise a commercial carrier for such a delicate case may raise eyebrows, AFD remained steadfast in its commitment to its core values: deep passion for its mission, its customers, and its personnel. The organisation’s determination to ‘Get it done, now’ was palpable as the family sought an affordable lifeline, and AFD rose to the occasion, finding an innovative solution to provide muchneeded assistance while upholding the highest standards of care.

A positive outcome

In early March, a heartwarming update arrived at AMREF Flying Doctors’ headquarters in Kenya: a brief video clip of Baby Mary playing in his cot. The successful congenital heart surgery had set the infant on the path to recovery, marking a poignant and triumphant conclusion to his medical journey. The conclusion of this saga stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts, innovation, and unwavering commitment of AMREF Flying Doctors in their noble mission to save lives and provide exceptional medical escort services.

In essence, the tale of Baby Mary reflects not only the success of a single mission but also serves as a powerful metaphor for the broader impact and potential of AFD’s pioneering approach to critical medical escort services. It signifies the relentless pursuit of excellence, the breaking down of barriers, and the unwavering commitment to providing timely and lifesaving solutions in the face of adversity. The odyssey of Baby Mary is not just a story; it is a testament to the transformative power of collaborative efforts of the whole AMREF Flying Doctors’ team, who go above and beyond to provide the most efficient and most extraordinary care for each patient cared for under AFD’s wings.

First Published:  ITIJ Assistance & Repatriation Review | April 2024
Author: Jane Munyua
Editor: Jane W. Muthoni