Atleast 1000 traders at Jubilee Market in Kisumu received free medical check-ups and treatment.
On Thursday, ODM politician Edward Onyango, also known as Bob CEO collaborated with Maisha Meds and Tazama glasses to organize a medical camp within the market.
Many traders in Kisumu, including those who usually don't visit hospitals for tests, benefited from this initiative.
This comes at a critical time when public health facilities are affected by the ongoing nationwide strike of doctors and clinicians, leaving many patients and Kenyans who cannot afford private hospitals in distress.
During the medical camp, 896 people underwent Presbiopya screening, 485 received glasses, and 411 were referred for further treatment.
According to Cynthia Achieng of Maisha Meds, apart from eye testing and treatments, they also run a malaria treatment program that saw the traders tested on the same including blood pressure and sugar level to ensure their safety within the market.
"Exactly 1245 clients were attended to. This was one of the biggest medical camp in the history of Maisha Meds," she said.
From the exercise, those who were found with Malaria were given drugs free of charge.
Beneficiaries at the market praised the initiative, mentioning that it's often challenging to leave the market for such services.
Mary Akoth, one of the beneficiaries, underwent a malaria test and received medication. She found the process smooth and thanked the organizers.
Akoth highlighted that with the doctors' strike, many people struggle to access basic health services.
"Just imagine all these people are getting treatment free of charge, at a time when health systems have been paralyzed across the country, this is just pure blessing to us," she added.
Another beneficiary Gilbert Onyango noted that he's had eye problems for quite some time now and has not been able to read properly.
"Am happy that today, I was tested and finally given reading glasses and this iniative should continue because people within this area including him have benefited not only the traders alone,"he said.
According to ODM politicians, the aim of the medical camp was to provide accessible and quality healthcare to as many people as possible.
"I am pleased with the turnout for this camp and encourage everyone to get regular check-ups to prevent further complications," said Onyango.
He mentioned that they have successfully organized similar medical camps in seven different areas within the Market, including Milimani, Railways, Kaloleni, Shauri Moyo, and Nyalenda B wards.
Onyango explained that the medical camps aim to address the healthcare needs of the community by offering various services like consultations, screenings, vaccinations, and medication distribution.
" Our objective was to reach out to individuals who may not have easy access to healthcare facilities and financial stability and ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention," he said.