A Medical Clinic for the Streets

Dr. Chad Stephens had his work cut out for him when he agreed to visit our Eastleigh Centre and provide medical aid to street kids. Many children on the streets have dire needs—gangrene, raw flesh, wounds that are three years old, cleaned and dressed, again. Due to lack of access to clean facilities or knowledge of proper wound care, they'll return to the centre with these same festering wounds multiple times. Our Eastleigh Centre staff have basic first aid training and can provide wound care, but it is rare for a doctor to visit the centre.

Dr. Stephens, of Noble Pain Management and Sports Medicine, in Southlake, TX, first visited Made in the Streets in 2010, to lead a pop-up medical clinic at the Eastleigh Centre. When word that a real doctor was visiting, a long line of street kids and homeless men, women, and children formed. Stephens was busy all day long, seeing patients with a wide range of ailments. Since that first visit, Stephens has returned to MITS twice, to offer the same services and support. ​

Over the years, a dream has crystallized in Dr. Stephens' mind: to establish a permanent medical clinic for Made in the Streets. A few obstacles stand in the way of this dream, not the least of which being the need for the right doctor to see patients year round in the clinic. Every time Dr. Stephens visits Kenya, he is keeping his eyes and heart open for God to bring the right candidate across his path. 

Stephens' summer 2018 visit to MITS was packed full with days at the Eastleigh Centre, visiting with old friends and patients, and playing lots of basketball. Dr. Stephens' is well-known at MITS for his love for basketball and his friendly competitive nature (he gives Mbuvi a run for his money!) As it turns out, Dr. Stephens' love for basketball may have brought the medical clinic one step closer to a reality: in one of the many pick-up games, Dr. Stephens met a local doctor who may be a good fit for the clinic! Only time will tell if it'll be a slam dunk, but it was certainly an encouraging connection to make. 

​​Some previous patients also showed up to see Dr. Stephens at the clinic, including “Snake,” a boxer who works with MITS. Three years ago, Dr. Stephens cut an abscess out of his bicep with only a wooden spoon for anesthesia. (below!) 

One of the highlights this week was seeing “Snake”! He is a boxer and works with MITS. Three years ago I cut an abscess out of his bicep muscle only using a wooden spoon for Anesthesia. I told him it would be best accomplished under general anesthesia in the hospital. He told me he was tough...I guess he was right! Great to see former patients and MITS graduates again! #boxer #kenya #africa #missionwork #missiontrip #medicine #fun #tgif #sportsmedicine #blessed #goodtimes #instagood #fridays #nairobikenya #noblepain #drchadstephens

A post shared by Dr. Chad Stephens (@drchadstephens) on Jul 6, 2018 at 12:32pm PDT