Transitioning from Community Medical Training to Frontline Emergency Care in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya
My name is Asma Ahmed Abakar, a refugee from Sudan and a proud Cohort III (2023) alumnI of Community Vitality Solutions. In 2023, I enrolled in the Medical and First Aid Training Program offered by the organization in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.
Through intensive theoretical and practical sessions covering general medicine, emergency first aid, and laboratory basics, I gained essential healthcare knowledge and successfully received my certification upon completion of one year training. The program, delivered under the guidance of Dr. Hassan Mohamud Alehemir, equipped me with hands-on emergency response skills, patient care techniques, and the confidence to act effectively and provide quality services in critical situations. These competencies became a turning point in my professional journey.
Just one year after completing the training, I secured an opportunity to work with the International Rescue Committee at Ammusait General Hospital in Kakuma, Kenya. Today, I serve as a Patient Attendant (PA) in the Emergency Department, where I support doctors and nurses, assist in urgent patient care, and help ensure timely responses during medical emergencies.
Through my daily work, I contribute directly to saving lives and improving the quality of care for vulnerable refugees and host community members in Kakuma. My journey demonstrates how access to community-based medical training can create real opportunities for displaced individuals while strengthening frontline who can provide first aid healthcare services.
My name is Asma Ahmed Abakar from Sudan, and I am currently working as a Patient Attendant in the Emergency Department at Ammusait General Hospital in Kakuma, Kenya. The Medical and First Aid Training Program by Community Vitality Solutions played a vital role in shaping my career. It provided me with practical emergency care skills and the confidence to respond effectively in critical situations.
I am deeply grateful to Community Vitality Solutions CBO for their mentorship and dedication. The training opened the door to my current role with the International Rescue Committee and brought me closer to my dream of serving in the medical field. Today, I proudly use these skills every day to save lives and support my community.
Our alumni are driving change in Kakuma by delivering essential healthcare services, supporting vulnerable children, and strengthening both refugee and host communities. Their work in health and vaccination outreach is saving lives and building resilience and Their work reflects the power of locally driven solutions in addressing critical health challenges. With continued support, we can reach even more families in need.
