EECC Patient Stories
Patient stories bring EECC to life, showing how simple, timely care saves lives in real situations. Each story highlights the human impact of essential interventions and why making them available everywhere matters.
Baby Lilian was born in a rural Tanzanian hospital, but within an hour of birth she was struggling to breathe. A nurse trained in EECC acted quickly, checked her oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, and found them critically low. Oxygen tubing was gently placed in her nose, and within moments her breathing improved. With continued monitoring and skin-to-skin care, Lilian’s condition stabilised, and two days later she went home healthy.
Her story shows how EECC’s simple resources—oxygen, pulse oximeters, and trained staff—make the difference between life and death for newborns, turning moments of crisis into healthy new beginnings.
Lilian
Elias
Elias, 31, was rushed to hospital after a car crash, bleeding heavily from his leg and dangerously unstable. At the entrance, an EECC-trained doctor checked his vital signs and immediately called for help. Together, the team gave him oxygen, IV fluids, and applied firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Reassuring him throughout, they soon saw his oxygen, heart rate, and blood pressure improve. After further care, Elias recovered and, just three days later, was discharged home to his family.
His story demonstrates how EECC’s core actions—oxygen, fluids, bleeding control, and calm teamwork—can prevent preventable deaths after trauma.
At just four months old, Baby Deborah was rushed to hospital by her worried parents, struggling to breathe. A nurse trained in EECC immediately saw she was critically ill, with low oxygen and rapid breathing. She was taken to the resuscitation room, given oxygen, and positioned to ease her breathing. Gradually, her oxygen levels improved. Deborah was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and admitted for antibiotics and continued monitoring. Over the next four days, she grew stronger, her breathing normalised, and she was smiling again.
Her survival shows how EECC equips frontline staff to save babies’ lives with simple, timely care.
Deborah
Alex
Alex, 25, came to a district hospital after long-standing abdominal discomfort suddenly worsened. He was short of breath, with low oxygen and a racing heart—clear signs of critical illness. An EECC-trained nurse immediately started oxygen using a concentrator, called the on-call clinician, and began intravenous fluids. His breathing eased within minutes and he was admitted to the medical ward for further management. Investigations showed liver failure with fluid around his lungs; oxygen and targeted treatment continued while nurses reassessed his vital signs frequently. Over the week his strength returned, he came off oxygen, and the abdominal discomfort settled. Alex was discharged on medication with outpatient follow-up.
Early EECC stabilisation made recovery possible.
61 year old Claude, arrived at hospital in rural Africa acutely unwell and fighting for breath. EECC-trained staff checked his vital signs, found dangerously low oxygen, and acted without delay. They started oxygen therapy while closely monitoring his condition. Over the following days, his strength gradually returned, his breathing normalised, and he was discharged safely home.
Claude’s case shows how EECC enables hospitals in even the most resource-limited settings to provide systematic, effective care. With training, basic tools, and a commitment to early recognition, critical illness can be reversed—and lives like Claude’s can be saved.
Claude
Patricia
At just 23, Patricia arrived at a rural health facility in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands dangerously unwell. She had been suffering with fever, night sweats, and worsening breathlessness. Her oxygen levels were critically low, her pulse racing, and her blood pressure dropping. EECC-trained staff immediately started oxygen, gave fluids, and admitted her for ongoing treatment. Tests confirmed a serious lung infection, and she was started on antibiotics while her vital signs were closely monitored. Within days, her strength returned and she was breathing unaided.
Patricia’s story illustrates how fast recognition of critical illness, combined with simple, timely EECC interventions, can transform outcomes—turning what might have been fatal into a full recovery.
Nickson, 64, arrived at hospital after a week of worsening cough, swelling, and difficulty breathing. On arrival, EECC-trained nurses found dangerously low oxygen and rapid breathing. He was immediately started on oxygen therapy and positioned upright to help him breathe. Within minutes, his distress began to ease. Tests revealed heart failure with fluid in his lungs. With oxygen, medication, and careful monitoring, Nickson improved steadily. Within days, he no longer needed oxygen and was discharged home, relieved to be alive.
His story shows how EECC gives older patients with complex conditions a fighting chance through simple, life-saving interventions.
Nickson
Diana
For 32-year-old Diana, the joy of giving birth to her fourth child turned into fear when she began bleeding heavily after delivery. Weak and confused, she was at risk of death from postpartum haemorrhage. A nurse, following her EECC training, quickly checked vital signs and called for help. The team gave fluids, oxytocin, and performed uterine massage to stop the bleeding. With close monitoring, Diana’s condition stabilised, and within two days she was strong enough to return home to her children.
Her story shows how EECC protects mothers in childbirth, preventing tragedies with timely, basic care that should be available everywhere.
Amina, 20, arrived at a district hospital in Tanzania bleeding heavily after a miscarriage. She was pale, weak, and in shock, with dangerously low blood pressure. A nurse trained in EECC quickly recognised her condition and called for help. Together, the team inserted an intravenous line, rapidly gave fluids, and raised her legs to keep blood flowing to her brain and vital organs. Within minutes, Amina’s strength began to return and her vital signs improved. After further treatment on the ward, she made a full recovery and returned home to her child.
Her story highlights how EECC saves mothers from preventable emergencies.
Amina
Dayana
Dayana, a seven-month-old baby, was rushed to hospital after days of fever, vomiting, and worsening breathing. By the time she arrived, she was dangerously weak and struggling for every breath. A nurse trained in EECC immediately checked her vital signs and started oxygen therapy, calling for a doctor to assist. Tests confirmed pneumonia, and she was admitted for antibiotics and ongoing monitoring. Over the next week, her oxygen needs lessened, her breathing eased, and she grew stronger. Soon she was smiling and playful again, ready to return home.
Dayana’s story shows how EECC transforms a child’s near-fatal illness into recovery.
Ally, 25, was found unconscious by the roadside after a suspected accident. By the time he reached hospital, his airway was blocked, his breathing shallow, and his blood sugar dangerously low. An EECC-trained team acted immediately: they opened his airway, placed him in the recovery position, started oxygen, and gave intravenous glucose. These basic steps brought him back from critical illness. Later investigations revealed a leg injury, which was managed as his condition improved. With continuous monitoring and supportive care, Ally made a full recovery and was discharged safely.
His story shows how rapid EECC interventions can stabilise even the most urgent emergencies.
Ally
Rozalia
Just hours after safely giving birth to twins in a district hospital, 19-year-old Rozalia began bleeding heavily and drifting in and out of consciousness. Trained staff recognised postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal death, and acted without delay. Using the EECC approach, they gave intravenous fluids, oxytocin, and performed uterine massage to stop the bleeding, while raising her legs to support circulation. Frequent reassessments ensured her stabilisation. Within two days, Rozalia was recovering well, able to breastfeed her babies, and was discharged home to her waiting family.
Her survival shows how EECC transforms maternal emergencies from tragedy into recovery.
Afikiwe, a 67-year-old farmer from rural Tanzania, was brought to hospital barely conscious and struggling to breathe. Nurses trained in Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) found dangerously low oxygen levels and acted immediately. He was given oxygen, fluids, and careful monitoring, later diagnosed with pneumonia and diabetes. When his condition worsened, staff repositioned him, cleared his airway, and adjusted his oxygen delivery—simple steps that made all the difference. After a week of close care, Afikiwe regained his strength, could speak and eat again, and returned home.
His story shows how EECC’s basic but vital actions save lives, even in complex cases.
