Israel Embassy through its aid agency—MASHAV is keen on strengthening ties with Kenya through partnerships in development projects, deputy ambassador of the State of Israel Dvora Dormans has said.
Speaking during a medical camp at Kaani Primary School in Kathiani, Machakos county on Sunday, Dormans encouraged partnerships among states and development partners in areas of agriculture, health and culture saying they are beneficial not only to the countries, but also communities.
Dormans said the embassy had partnered with various organisations alongside other development partners to conduct medical camps in different parts of the country.
She said the camps were intended to bring health care closer to the people. From the camps, the patients get referred in case they need further treatment.
“This medical camp is one of the collaborations in the health sector. Such camps are important because they bring services closer to the people,” Dormans said when she commissioned the exercise.
She said through the camps, those who have problems accessing medical care, access them for free.
“We hope the medical camp will have a strong impact to communities and in complimenting other medical providers in the country. We will engage in many more collaborations in the future,” she said.
The embassy partnered with the Lions International with the former providing part of the funding while the latter through its Lions Hospital provided medical services during the one-day exercise.
Lions Club of Kenya spokesman Dr Manoj Shah said the exercise cost Sh1.2 million, with MASHAV funding it to a tune of Sh500,000.
Shah said over 500 patients benefited from the free medical camp.
“The medical camp has been supported by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation in partnership with Lions Club of Nairobi Greater and Lions Club of Nairobi Phoenix conducted by Lions Sight First Eye Hospital,” Shah said.
He said eye illnesses, ear, throat and mouth infections, diabetes and general illnesses were screened and treated.
“We have conducted screenings on more than 500 patients from Kaani community. They have different kinds of ailments especially eye and children who have other conditions. Also elderly people with medical and hearing problems have been screened," he added.
"We have brought a team of our highly experienced doctors from our main hospital in Nairobi which include diabetes specialists, ENT surgeons, eye doctors, general doctors for children to treat children with special disorders.”
Shah said the doctors diagnosed more than 12 patients who require eye surgeries while others were clinically blind.
“Each surgery in most of hospitals within Nairobi costs between Sh40,000 to Sh60,000, we will carry out the surgeries for free at our eye hospital in Nairobi.”
He added, “In addition to that, we have also found three children who require specialised eye services because they have severe deformities in their eyes, we will conduct the procedures for free. Each procedure costs Sh50,000. We expect to spend over Sh1.2 million by treating patients who require specialised care.”
Shah said Lions Club had worked in Kaani and other parts of the country for over 25 years.
He said they founded Kaani Lions Primary and secondary schools and put a lot of infrastructure in terms of educational facilities, dormitories, dining halls, kitchens, classrooms, nurseries, clubs, and a borehole that serves both the schools and community.
Shah said the borehole will be connected to a 10,000 litres tank to distribute water to hundreds of residents in the community. There is already a water kiosk to serve the residents.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti thanked both the embassy and Lions Club for their continued support through its multiple projects in the county.
Maliti said the medical camps were important since most of the residents were unable to access medical services due to high poverty levels.
"The camps are important in detecting diseases for referrals and treatment since majority aren't able to access medical services," he said.
He said county governments had limited fund allocations for health budgets hence constrained.
-Edited by SKanyara