Special Olympics Kenya in conjunction with County Government of Nandi today conducted an health screening excercise at ACK Aldai Girls Secondary School, Aldai sub county, in an event that graced by Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot.
The screening excercise is aimed at providing vital health services to intellectually disabled residents under a programme dubbed “Health Athlete”.
“Health Athlete,” is a key programme that SOK conducts which tend to ensure that the athletes are in good health and well trained as they engage in year round competitions.
Under the programme, the services offered to enable the athlete be fit and ready for competition include; health promotion, which enhances better health and well being through education on nutrition , physical fitness, blood pressure, bone mineral density and determining body mass index. Healthy hearing is also carried out which involves in-depth testing close to their homes, evaluation and recommendation of treatment or referral. Another vital course is vision examination which allows impaired athletes to be given prescriptions of glasses and sport goggles.
Despite this noble course there are still some hindrances when it comes to exposure of children with disabilities, with stigma being a major concern . However the Deputy Governor said the county government of Nandi in conjunction with Special Olympics Kenya will conduct an awareness campaign to enable the parents bring out their children for help and support.
Health CEC Ruth C. Koech said the awareness will help ensure all people with intellectual disabilities are registered so that they can benefit from the Special Olympics programmes.
Special Olympic Kenya CEO Susan Manila said her organization kicked off the awareness in a bid to dispel negative prejudice and discrimination that discourage people with intellectual disabilities and instead foster inclusiveness.
Also present at the event were Nandi County Assembly Majority Leader David Koech, CEC Sports Elly Kurgat, Special Olympics Africa Millicent Akoth and SOK regional representative Rhoda Kitany.