KABONGWA RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
In accordance with the County Department of Health and Sanitation’s mandate of improving public health services in Nandi, over 500 residents of Kaplamai location, benefitted from a free medical outreach programme at the Kabongwa Market in Emgwen Sub County.
The programme was organized in partnership with the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, White Crescent Hospital, Lifecare Hospital, Reale Hospital, St Luke Hospital, Equity Afya, Vertical Medical Center, Apha Hill Hospital and Rapha Hospital.
A beneficiary of the outreach and a resident of Kaplamai, Mr Kosgei, thanked the County Government of Nandi for the initiative of bringing health care services closer to the people.
“I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to get screened. I understand it is important to go for routine checks to enable early detection of diseases, but most people like me find it difficult to leave our tea farms to go to the hospital.
Mr Kosgei was screened for hypertension, random blood glucose, and had his BMI measurement.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Judith, residing in Kabongwa, who was at the market to buy groceries commended the intiative saying the outreach gives an opportunity for the everyone to know their health status.
She thanked the organisers for brining the services closer to the people and at no cost.
“I have not gone for a routine check in a while. It is a good initiative that will make many people know their health status as most people wait to go to the hospital only when they start having symptoms”, she says.
Mrs Judith got screened for breast cancer and had her blood pressure, random blood sugar, and BMI checked.
Likewise, one of the boda boda operators Mr Kipchirchir, who also benefited from the outreach, took it upon himelf to raise awareness about the free medical programme.
Using his position in the area, Kipchirchir advises other traders especially the youth and women, to check their health status and present their children for vaccination to protect everyone.
At the end of the outreach, over 500 beneficiaries from campaign and children were also not left out as over 37 received at least a vaccine antigen.
The County PHC Coordinator Sally Kemboi, says the county department of health is always striving to keep the county safe.
“The medical camp is an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow,” she noted.
“The free medical outreach targeted the vulnerable members of the community, particularly women and children as well as the aged who cannot afford the cost of medical attention,” explains Lilian Boit, the County Clinical Officer.
Some of the services rendered included Routine Immunization (RI), routine health screening (Blood Pressure, Random Blood Sugar, Body Mass Index as well as health education).
Present at the event were Philip Kogo, Director Health Administration, Alfred Bichii, the County Public Health Officer among other officials.