The eight Comorans who survived a boat tragedy after staying at sea for 22 days will remain in the hospital for five days.
The medical personnel attending to them at Malindi Subcounty Hospital say they are improving but need more time to recover. The three who were in critical condition are out of danger.
Malindi Subcounty Hospital boss Job Gayo said all the victims are on a special diet and are treated like surgical patients having survived for three weeks relying only on salty water. Their kidneys cannot work properly because of the toxic salty seawater.
Gayo said they were counselling them as some were in psychological anguish. He said they are also taking care of their wounds. They are fed through oral sips.
“Three of them were in critical condition and just looked like they were lying on the boat. They were having pressure sores. We are not giving them normal food like bread, ugali, rice, spaghetti. They are on special nutritive supplements, which are taken as drinks.
"We cannot allow them to eat food because they have been on salty water and their digestive systems need to be given time to come to terms with the fact that they are no longer taking the salty water,” he said.
He appealed to well-wishers to support the patients with basic needs as they have nothing. They lost all they had at sea. Items needed include toothbrushes, clothes and shoes.
Comoros Embassy representative Mubarak Ali visited them on Monday. He coordinated communication between the survivors and their relatives back home.
He said their families were happy with the cooperation exhibited by the Kenyan authorities since the survivors were rescued and the treatment they have been accorded.
“They told me they were travelling and the engine of their speed boat developed mechanical problems and they were pushed by strong winds until they found themselves in the Kenyan waters,” he said.
Malindi subcounty health administrative officer Said Ali Said appealed to well-wishers for support.
“Help us with spoons, water, food; they also need clothes and other personal items, kindly those who are well off in Malindi can support in any way because these people are foreigners and do not have any relatives here,” he said.
Said said the hospital administration will see what to do on the medical bill but require help to support them with the basic necessities.
