Fruits of Medical Innovation: Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) Successfully Applied in High-Stakes Life-Saving Maneuvers at Ndanai

Ndanai Sub-County Hospital, Bomet, is proud to share two recent cases where the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) played an important role in helping save the lives of two mothers who experienced severe bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. In the first case, a 28-year-old mother developed sudden, severe bleeding while in labour. She lost approximately two litres of blood and became critically weak. She was urgently taken to theatre for an emergency Caesarean Section, where a large collection of blood was found behind the placenta. Following the operation, her blood level was extremely low, and only one unit of blood was immediately available. The NASG was applied to help stabilize her while she awaited further blood transfusion. After 48 hours, she was stable, the NASG was safely removed, and she was eventually discharged home in good condition. In the second case, a 24-year-old mother with an early pregnancy was found to have a ruptured pregnancy outside the womb, resulting in severe internal bleeding. She was very weak, with a dangerously low blood level. The NASG was immediately applied before she was taken to theatre, where the bleeding was successfully treated and approximately two litres of blood were removed from her abdomen. The NASG was reapplied after surgery and remained in place for 24 hours while she received blood transfusion and recovered. She was discharged home safely on the fifth day after surgery. These two experiences demonstrate the important role that medical innovations can play in improving treatment outcomes in reproductive and maternal health services. The NASG is especially critical in supporting mothers experiencing severe blood loss, particularly while they are being prepared for emergency treatment and while awaiting blood transfusion. It is an important addition to our efforts to prevent avoidable maternal deaths at Ndanai Sub-County Hospital. We sincerely appreciate Lwala Community Alliance for donating these life-saving devices to Ndanai Sub-County Hospital. We also commend our dedicated doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory team, theatre team, and all staff involved in the prompt care and management of these two mothers. Together, we continue to work towards safer motherhood and better health outcomes for our community. #QualityHealthcareForAll #MaternalHealth #SDGs