From Patient to Provider: Maureen Cherotich’s Journey of Hope at Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre
In a powerful story of resilience and giving back, a young woman who underwent two life-saving open-heart surgeries at Tenwek Hospital has now returned as a nurse, offering hope and firsthand understanding to cardiac patients.
A Childhood Diagnosis and a Lifesaving Intervention
Maureen Cherotich’s life changed at just nine years old when she was diagnosed in 2009 with rheumatic heart disease, a chronic condition resulting from damage to the heart valves caused by rheumatic fever. Her first open-heart surgery that same year was the beginning of a long medical journey, culminating in a second, more complex procedure in 2017 when she was 16.
“I remember my second surgery in 2017. I was 16 and so scared, but God made it successful. I am now completely healed,” Cherotich recalled. The surgery, which lasted between eight and ten hours, was a testament to her determination and the skill of the medical team.
Completing the Circle: From Survivor to Caregiver
Now 24, Cherotich has transformed her personal ordeal into a professional calling. After graduating in community nursing from Sigowet KMTC in Kericho County in 2023, she joined the AGC Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre in Bomet County—the very facility that saved her life.
“Not only do I work as a nurse, but also as a bearer of hope for heart patients who have the same condition I once had,” she said. “I am living proof that having a heart condition is not the end of a patient’s life.” Her unique perspective allows her to connect with patients on a level few other healthcare providers can, embodying the transformative power of patient-centered care.
The Broader Mission: Funding Lifesaving Care
Cherotich’s story underscores a critical challenge in specialized healthcare: affordability. Her own surgeries cost her family more than Sh900,000, a significant financial burden for most Kenyan families.
This financial barrier is a central focus for the hospital’s administration. Ben Siele, CEO of AGC Tenwek Hospital, explained that the institution spends approximately Sh50 million annually on patients who cannot pay, which directly impacts hospital operations. To address this, the hospital organizes fundraising initiatives like the “Hearts in Motion” 10km run, aiming to raise Sh48 million to support needy patients.
“The hospital came up with this to raise funds for compassionate cases,” Siele stated. He noted that while an open-heart surgery costs about Sh1.5 million, the Social Health Authority covers about Sh1 million, leaving families to raise at least Sh600,000—a daunting sum for many.
A Growing Center of Excellence
The impact of Tenwek’s Cardiothoracic Centre extends far beyond Bomet County. Serving patients across Kenya and the wider African continent, the centre has seen its surgical caseload grow significantly. Since opening, open-heart surgeries have increased to about 260 annually, representing 60 per cent of the national caseload. In just the last nine months, the centre has performed more than 300 surgeries.
To meet this growing demand, the facility currently operates two theatres, with a third expected to open soon, expanding its capacity to provide life-saving care.
A Vision for the Future
While Cherotich currently serves as a nurse, her ambitions reach further. She dreams of advancing her studies to specialize in cardiac nursing, aiming to offer even better services to patients.
“I want to specialize in cardiac nursing to offer better services to patients. The doctors and nurses at Tenwek gave me more than treatment — they gave me a future. That is why I returned to work at the hospital,” she said, highlighting the profound sense of purpose she derives from her work.
Her journey from a frightened child patient to a confident healthcare provider not only illustrates a personal triumph but also serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the profound ripple effects of compassionate, high-quality medical care.
This report is based on original reporting from The Standard.