 Yes, that's how I was spotted and I was awarded HSE in terms of corona because we were the first people who were, because after participating in Embola, we were the first frontliners to start the Magadi hospital for corona. Yes. Alright, so let's talk about these two things here. First, you were awarded the head of state's commendation because of involvement in corona and Ebola. Yes. Corona and Ebola. Yes. Let's first of all talk about Ebola because you were there when they started the first site, the first institute where we had actually the first ward in Kenya for Ebola. Yes. How did that come to be? We were working in the Kenyatta Nation Hospital. We were selected to go for Ebola training. I was among the first people who went and after going for that training is when the Ebola was very serious in West Africa. We started an admission center in Kenyatta Nation Hospital. So after training that, then I was selected to go to West Africa when Ebola was really hot and that's when I went and we fought Ebola till it was no longer there. I remember during that time it was such an outbreak that many lives are lost at that time and of course people were even skeptical about even traveling was a problem. Yes, especially the health profession. Yes. It was very devastating because most of them died because once you come in contact with Ebola patient, if you have not protected yourself you get Ebola and you can... That's the end of it. Yes, that's the end of it. Wasn't it psychologically traumatizing for someone like you? You've traveled to a place where only if it was the first time to go to West Africa. I never been there and we went through the long road in North America, Central America and then West Africa because most of the routes were closed. So it was not easy but we just put God first and say if my death is meant to be in West Africa and then let it be there. If I will die, I will die. Yes, if you will die because you are going to save life and you have been trained. So it's just like an army person going to fight the enemy. You don't know whether you will survive or you will come back. So you just got there praying God that let me can't help those people. They get their head back as well as protect you. And then you planted the first Ebola ward here in Kenya? Yes, when I came back, I thank the Kenyatta Nation Hospital very much. They came the responsibility of starting the first Ebola ward that is IDU, infectious disease units in Kenya, which is still there. Still there? Yes. How is it functioning? It has been a hand even especially for corona patients who are already getting help from there. So is that the same ward that has also been used when it comes to COVID patients? Yes, yes, yes. It is the same ward including Bagati. Now that one was the intensive one where you get now those people put on any ventilators. Yes. So how was it and of course your participation when it comes to the fight against COVID. From the time we had the outbreak and of course it was announced and then we are seeing a curfews being put there. We are seeing restrictions, masks, sanitizing and social distancing. How is it for you working at KNH and of course as a health practitioner, medical practitioner during the time of COVID? Because now you came, Ebola was there. Now corona is there but you are still the same person handling all these pandemics. Okay, when the corona came and I was appointed to go to Bagati Hospital, it didn't shock me because after going through Ebola, because in West Africa we were seeing dead people all over the streets everywhere. So I was not afraid because since I know to protect myself and protect others, I was not afraid to go and work in a corona ward of which I went. I worked there but there I got corona that is in March. Yes. And I was given the treatment and I was well. You had to? Yes, I got infected with COVID. Yes, that is in March 21. That is 2021? Yes. How long did it take for you to recover? It took about two weeks. But since we had to keep ourselves away from others, I was just in the house for more than one month. Yes. Because you were not doing that time, people lost their jobs? Yes. Yours was secured? Yes. Mine was secured since I was now the health provider. So they were just waiting for me to exit to die or come back on duty. So God help me, I came back on duty. Very healthy and I continued nursing the COVID patients. When the vaccine came I was the first one to get the vaccine. And I didn't worry about getting it again because I knew I was protected. Yes. I love your passion. You don't give up? No, I don't give up. I don't even fear death. You don't? No. If it would come, it would come. There is no reverse. But since God is still loving me, I have not died. I will continue giving the health to other people. Yes. Now I am seeing now those medals that you have. So tell me about this. This is the hero one. The one I got the hero, I was awarded at the Kishi National Stadium by his Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta. Yeah. For being brave to go to West Africa now, corona, I got this through the national hero scans of Kenya. So I was awarded this in Kishi. That was the Machuja Day. Machuja Day. I was awarded this. And then the same, that's 2020. The same year during celebrations, national celebration that is 12th December, I was also awarded the Honorable. Also this is another one. Yeah. I don't know if you can get that done. So this is another award? Yeah, this is for HSC. This for? HSC, state commendation. And this for hero. For being a hero. I thought they are one. They are different. They are two different. This for HSC and this for hero. All right. So you can see the one on the left side of your screen that is the HSC. Yes. Of we that is called the head of state commendation. Yes. I was awarded because of what? Because of participating in corona after Ebola. Yes. And this one is for being a hero. A hero to go to West Africa and come back because of Ebola. And of course today even on our Facebook page that's at Y254, we even ask a question how big are your dreams? Una plan kuwacha legacy gani? Someone like Lydia, you've already left a legacy. Something that people can remember. Yes. And of course if you go somewhere and introduce yourself you mention the things you've done. Yes. Let's talk about the things you plan to do now. Okay. After being awarded and we get a lot of talks from our leaders through the heroes camps of Kenya. We should help other people just from the crossroads to recognize you that you have been recognized by the president and help them in any way you will. Maybe now I am in health to help those people who cannot help themselves in terms of health. So you want to go out and give back to the community? Yes. I go out and give back to the community and identify those challenges, problems special for hearing now that I'm an audiologist. Identify those challenges and help those people to obtain their full potential of life. Like now children they are born not hearing. By the time the parents realize they are not hearing already they are past school age. So if they are identified at early age so interventions and technologies are there help them just here like any other normal person. So how do you plan to go through this for lack of a better term do I say outreach program? How do you plan to go about it? Is there any particular areas that you want to focus on? How do you plan to go about it? Okay. Now the last five years back I've been planning how well I can do that and that's why I went to specialize in audiology beside my nursing provision under the small courses critical care, emergence courses, HIV all round. I thought of it how I can put in one umbrella or one packet so that when I go out I'm able to give any health care as it comes. So I started the process of starting a foundation, a health foundation. I was inspired by those people who have started before a health foundation and you find they really go on the cross route to help those people who cannot help themselves in terms of health challenges like hearing, maybe they are sick and they don't know where to start they can't even come to Nairobi for better treatment so that is my focus. So you're saying you won't focus on just hearing only? Not hearing just heard as a whole Ya, that is inclusive inclusive of hearing. So initially you were thinking of just hearing and then it only changed your mind? I changed, I said I should include everything because when someone comes to a health institution you have a headache but when you reach after an investigator you have a bigger problem you have a hearing problem you have other big disease like hypertension but diabetes which you don't know but after investigation you get that is what is disturbing you so you are just channeled in the right you are referred in the right place or you are helped from there to go in the right place and get help and you have good health. But now you have to start from a particular area? Ya, the foundation is called Outer in Health Services and your diologe that say hearing center so I am planning to start but if I get assistance I am also looking for assistance if anyone can assist me so that I can start that hearing center plus day care so that I can make it back to the community where I can identify a place and start it so that I can help those people who are in the ground So you are looking for a place and of course some sponsorship or support in terms of support in terms of anything because I need to procure the machines it helps the institution just the basic to test if the patient has come maybe it doesn't know what is suffering from or it doesn't know the problem you should have all the services there counseling, audiology a doctor to see them and also speech maybe the children need where they have reached they need speech therapy they need to be assisted so that they can talk and then they continue to go to school so all those services combined together I want them to be in one center and that's all give back to the community the bottom line is just giving back to the community I love that let's talk about the community itself what I thought is regards to the state of healthcare in the country but picking it up from COVID we've come from a time when we were restricted and now you can see good town masks are no longer there even me I don't have a mask so I have a mask in Liyanguka and people no longer have that what I thought is regards to that now the mood is changed actually the mood has changed it has changed because they are following our leaders to say that now the infection rate has gone down but the protocols still remain you are supposed to keep a distance and if you are in a crowded place you wear a mask and you put it on that crowd who has corona and you can pick the corona from there so just be careful if you avoid crowded area and if you have to be there you have to have a mask just in case people to get the vaccination and then their life continues your thoughts about healthcare in the country so far the steps you've taken as a country how far are we and do you think based on your experience from where you see it that we are where we ought to be in terms of healthcare in terms of health people have responded well especially on the vaccination side because the way corona attacked us no one wants to be sick in a short time and go twice so most people have been given vaccination and if there are people who have not been vaccinated there is a very small percentage I can't really quote the percentage but based on what we see in the hospital side and how people react outside there people have responded well and of course as you bring this conversation to a close I would like you to just have a final word and of course give a general comment in regards to this what message would you like to pass to those Kenyans that are watching you this particular Tuesday morning for those Kenyans who are watching me just briefly yes I would just urge them to just take care of their health if there is somebody who has not been vaccinated can you say corona to take the initiative because it is good for that person to keep health so that we don't continue losing our loved ones through avoiding simple vaccination and it is good for our health just to be protected by just a simple job and you stay healthy and you eat well yes people kukula kukula is a balanced diet yes this is a balanced diet you are what you eat what I eat we are what we eat is what we eat but these days people are trying to balance the food and take for good health yes and take plenty of water yes and those people who are watching me I would like to get any assistance so that I get this dream going and it will you've done a great job a fantastic job and I know it will catch up how can people get in touch with you if they want to get a hold of you how can they reach you okay they can reach me through my email that is Lydia mohaiatiaw.com or my website for the foundation that's www.outeringhealthservices.org and audiologyassessmentcenter.co.ke okay so get in touch with her and you guys to that and of course you shall be able to get all the information and the details you need because we are giving back to the society Lydia thank you so much for coming you do the good job and we wish you the best thank you very much resante sana yes all right now down to the end of this particular conversation right here on why in the morning but remember we still have more coming up your way my name is Ramama keep engaging with us keep talking to us the Ashina Ghazules is why in the morning we still have a lot in store for you coming up your way we are taking a short break we'll be back in a bit