From Silent Struggle to Survival: Afikiwe’s Recovery with EECC

When 67-year-old farmer Afikiwe was carried into a rural district hospital in Tanzania, he was barely conscious and struggling to breathe. For hours, he had been deteriorating at home until his family, fearing for his life, rushed him to the nearest facility.

Thankfully, the nurse who received him was trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC)—a practical, life-saving approach that equips healthcare workers to quickly recognise and stabilise critically ill patients, even in resource-limited settings.

On arrival, Afikiwe’s vital signs revealed a dangerous picture: his oxygen levels were very low, his breathing rapid, and his level of consciousness severely reduced. The nurse acted immediately, calling for additional support, starting an intravenous line, giving dextrose-containing fluids, and initiating oxygen therapy through nasal prongs connected to an oxygen concentrator.

Further investigations confirmed Afikiwe had pneumonia, made worse by underlying diabetes. He was admitted to the medical ward for ongoing care. Despite oxygen therapy, his oxygen levels remained low, and he was producing airway secretions. The nursing team, applying EECC principles, quickly performed airway suctioning to clear the secretions, repositioned him into the recovery position, and upgraded his oxygen delivery from nasal prongs to a face mask with higher flow rate. Within minutes, his breathing improved, and his oxygen levels began to stabilise.

Over the next seven days, Afikiwe remained under close observation. He received intravenous fluids, antibiotics, diabetes treatment, and nutrition via a feeding tube while his strength returned. By the end of the week, Afikiwe could speak, eat on his own, and breathe without oxygen support. He was finally well enough to be discharged—alive and on the road to recovery.

Afikiwe preparing to go home.

Afikiwe’s story shows the power of simple, rapid interventions. EECC doesn’t require advanced technology or complex procedures—it relies on basic equipment, quick thinking, and trained health workers who know what to do in emergencies.

At EECC Global, we work to ensure that hospitals everywhere can deliver this kind of essential, life-saving care. Because no one should die from treatable conditions like pneumonia, especially when simple steps can save lives.

This is EECC: timely recognition, essential action, and lives saved.