Kind Nurse Who Went Viral For Carrying Woman's Baby Praised For Attending To Patients During Strike

• One nurse's compassionate dedication emerged as a beacon of hope for patients in need of medical attention during the doctor's strike
• Velma Chepkoech Tonui, a nursing officer at Longisa County Referral Hospital, has once again captured the public's admiration for her selfless actions
• With hospitals grappling with understaffing when the strike was on, she took it upon herself to ensure patients received emergency care they require

Amid the just-ended doctor's strike causing chaos in hospitals, Velma Chepkoech Tonui, famed for carrying a woman's baby while on duty, again captured the public's attention.

How is Velma taking care of patients?

As the HDU/ICU nursing officer at Longisa County Referral Hospital, Velma has become a symbol of compassion and dedication.

Despite the challenges posed during the strike, she remained steadfast in her commitment to providing care to patients in need.

Reflecting on the incident that brought her into the spotlight, Velma recounted the circumstances leading to the now-famous photo of her with a baby strapped to her back.

"There was a mother who came in to deliver her baby, accompanied by her two-year-old child and her husband," she explained in a recent interview.

Unfulfilled promises

"With the hospital short-staffed at the time, I took it upon myself to assist the mother while ensuring the safety of her young child," she added.

The image of Velma's selfless act quickly went viral, earning her widespread recognition and promises of support from various quarters, including the then Kericho County Governor, Paul Chepkwony.

However, despite assurances of a permanent job and study leave, Velma's aspirations were not fully realised.

Undeterred by the setbacks, Velma continued to pursue her passion for nursing and further education by commuting between Londiani and Nairobi to attend classes at Kenyatta University.

Tonui shares what her future plans are

"I had to make my own arrangements to go to school for specialization and come back to work. I had to commute every week from Londiani to Nairobi. It got to a point I was so exhausted so I decided to resign," she shared.

However, she had to call it quits after she landed another job and could not manage work and school at the same time.

Further speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the kind and humble nurse revealed that she hopes to go back to school and finish what she started.

"My future plan is that I would love to finish my further studies which I had started because I had to put a pause on it when I landed a new job," she said.

Netizens shower nurse Velma with praise

user9513213502048 said:

"May you never lack mamaa."

Isaack Kipkirui said:

"Congratulations dear."

Mwetich Vinnie said:

"You are going far darling."

Terry said:

"Congratulations dear,may God expand your territories."

maxwell said:

"Congratulations dear. May u reap much more in your future journey, u have a pride future dear. politics na kujipendekeza wajia hao criminal in politics."

Geoffrey Daniel N said:

"Congratulations mama may the Lord bless you abundantly."

user36394393033628 said:

"We are proud of you too dear, you are destined for greatness."

Nurse treated to KSh 15k shopping after meeting former patient

In a separate story, Brigit Chichi could never be more proud of being a nurse after a patient she once took care of offered to do her monthly shopping after running into her in a local supermarket.

Chichi was in the store not to buy anything, as many of us do in the store, but to window shop since she was broke due to a delayed eight-month salary.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the lady revealed she had cared for the nurse at a Kisumu-based medical facility before moving to a county hospital, which had not paid her for months.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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