Many surgeries later, major visual disabilities persist but the vision in all has improved. Walter Reed's plastic surgery department also reconstructed a number of badly damaged faces. Most of the Americans evacuated stateside have recovered enough to return to Kenya or to move on to other assignments. Three are still in the midst of extensive therapy. Four Kenyans remain in the Washington, D.C., area, two at Walter Reed and two in the highly respected Traumatic Brain Injury Program at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Plans are to eventually repatriate all to their homeland.
To ensure the ongoing quality care of these patients as well as those who have already returned to Nairobi, the Office of Medical Services and the U.S. Army have established a telemedicine base at the new embassy health unit. Patients will be evaluated via a television satellite hookup by specialists at Landstuhl and Walter Reed hospitals who can recommend treatments to physicians in Kenya. When necessary, the patient can be returned to Germany or the United States for further specialized care. Thanks to both architectural design and the bravery of local guards, the medical staffs of the two embassies emerged unscathed to rescue the injured from the rubble, administer urgent care and help transport the victims to hospitals. The physical and emotional scars of all State employees at ground zero will last a very long time, and our medical heroes will continue to be called upon to help in the healing process.