Dr. Erick Elias is a dedicated physician who began his career at Kagu Dispensary before transferring to Nzera in 2019. Married and a father of two, a six year old daughter and a ten month old son he balances his professional responsibilities with family life.
When he first started working at Nzera Health Centre, the conditions were far from ideal. The facility was overwhelmed by patient numbers, and limited resources that often required two patients to share a bed. There were no nursing stations or proper rooms where nurses could rest or change. Children suffering from malnutrition had no isolation rooms; all admitted cases were mixed in the same cubicle, putting vulnerable patients at risk.
Today, things are beginning to change. With the support of a recent project, nutrition officers are now in place to care for malnourished children, conducting not only treatment but also follow ups and community outreach. The project, completed in July 2025, has paved the way for expanded facilities expected to open in September 2025. Each new ward will have four cubicles, with space for about five beds in each. Three surgical wards have been added separately designated for men, women, and children providing greater privacy and specialized care.
For Dr. Elias, the most encouraging development is the children’s ward, which now includes isolation rooms for malnutrition cases. On average, the facility receives five such cases daily, amounting to about 150 children each month.