Praise Asiimwe is the senior communications officer, King Faisal Hospital. In an interview with Moses Opobo, she talks about the demands of her job and first-time motherhood.

Tell me about your first experience at King Faisal Hospital

I had come to see a sick friend who had been admitted and the first thing that hit me was how clean the hospital was.

How did you end up working here?

I saw a job advert, applied, was shortlisted and called for an interview, and got the job.

What was/is the first major project you handled?

There are several ongoing projects but right now we are working on a project dubbed "King Faisal Hospital Outreach 2014”. We have partnered with Airtel Rwanda for a donation campaign that will see over 100 widows and orphans (genocide survivors) in Huye District, Rusatira Sector, Nyabusunzu Village get a better life. We are receiving donations in kind and cash at the hospital and all Airtel outlets in Kigali.

What else is new at King Faisal?

From February 27, the hospital’s status changed to a private company with limited shares. Government is still the only shareholder at the moment. There are reforms happening daily, which will enable us to serve the country and region better. Our website www.kfh.rw, our Facebook page King Faisal Hospital Kigali, and Twitter handle always have updates of whatever is going on at the hospital.

What should Rwandans and the world know about your employer?

They should know that we are striving to be the best. Every day is a chance to learn something new, to help us serve everyone better. We always welcome criticism and make sure we improve. No complaint is too small for us to ignore. We make sure that no one complains about the same thing twice! We also always make sure that we don’t relax just because we have got positive feedback. We would love to be able to boast that we are one of the best hospitals internationally. I believe this can be achieved! We are a Patient Centered Care, so patients come first.

As a senior communications officer, what does your typical day look like?

Well, it’s a communication day. I am guided by my quarterly plan, from which I get a daily "to do list.” I do this when I am leaving office in the evening, so when I get to office I start with the tasks that need my utmost attention. Then I work on other less demanding tasks. In between I handle any communication issues raised by patients, staff, or members of the general public. My office door is always open for such complaints.

You come from a media and marketing background. How has working around doctors and nurses and patients changed you?

The media and marketing background has actually helped me learn to deal with people of backgrounds—patients, nurses and doctors included. Working in a hospital has however taught me to value life more and I now give doctors and nurses more respect!

How has living living in a community of the vulnerable changed your perspective of life?

I have learnt to value life more. Every time I see someone fighting for their life or too sick to go out and live a full life, I thank God for a healthy life. I thank God for every breath I take and every healthy day I live.

Tell us about your experience being a first time mother and a former beauty queen

Oh, first time mother…. Nothing prepared me for the feelings I have had since I became one. All I can say is, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I would do it all over again at the drop of a hat. That little boy is my reason for living. As for beauty queen, well that was so long ago that sometimes I forget I was once one.

What has changed about Praise the mother?

Praise the mother has learnt to put someone else first before herself. All my decisions are determined by how they will affect my son. And this Praise doesn’t party anymore!