HUNDREDS TURN UP FOR KIBISEM MEDICAL CAMP
Hundreds of residents of Kibisem village, Chemelil/Chemase Ward in Tinderet Sub County, thronged Kibisem Dispensary to receive free services during a health camp that was organised by the County Government of Nandi in partnership with Karebe Gold Mining Company Ltd.
The medical team provided free medical services during Friday’s camp that included cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, HIV testing and counselling, malaria testing.
Others were family planning methods, Nutrition and Health Education.Speaking at the event, the County Director for Health Dr David Bungei said cancer screening is strategic as it puts in place mechanisms to raise awareness about the chronic disease.
“We encourage people to get screened to be able to arrest cancer in its early stages,” he said.
Dr Bungei encouraged males and females to get tested for cancer, including prostate, colorectal, cervical cancer and breast cancer.
He said it was unfortunate that most people continue to die due to late diagnosis and lack of proper cancer treatment.
Tindiret Sub County MoH Dr Joseph Kibor revealed that major conditions reported at the camp were malaria, respiratory tract infection and non communicable diseases.
“Emphasis has been put on the non communicable diseases as they are the silent killers among our people yet this would be avoided if tests are conducted early,” he said.
Karebe Gold Mining Company representative Emmy Cheruiyot said “As a corporate social responsibility, reality pushed the Company to consider partnering with the County Department of Health in taking care of the needs of the community.”
“Having realized that the majority were sick and could not afford treatment, Kerebe Gold Mining Company management chose to support this event to ensure that we have a healthy and productive community,” she said.
Ms Jane who was a beneficiary of the medical camp, thanked the County Government of Nandi and Kerebe Gold Mining Company for the initiative.
“I have no money to seek diabetes treatment and I am not able to cater for my medical expenses,” she said.
She said that she is forced to seek herbal treatment which sometimes doesn’t work.
Key elements of the government’s strategy to achieve UHC include building resilient and responsive primary health systems and investing in preventative and promotive community healthcare. It is against this backdrop that the County Government of Nandi recognizes Karebe Gold Mining Company for its “impactful collaboration” notably in the areas of strengthening community health, construction of staff quarters, sanitation facilities and donation of drugs to facilities within Chemelil/Chemase Ward.
Present at the event were the County Nurse Laban Tallam, County HIV Coordinator Richard Bwaley, County RH Coordinator Irene Berenge, County Nutritionist Doreen Toroitich among other officials.