Over 1, 300 patients benefit from free medical camp in Kajiado

More than 1,300 patients have benefited from free medication in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

The beneficiaries, who included residents from Kitengela town, Athi River and Mlolongo towns were attended to during the free medical camp on Saturday.

They were treated at St. Theresa dispensary in Kitengela courtesy of the Rotary Club of Kitengela, under the stewardship of its President Judy Maruru.

Some patients from far and wide were also treated freely and issued with necessary drugs at no cost.

“I have been treated for free and issued with drugs. Together with other women, I have been screened for cervical cancer without paying a single coin," Jane Matheka (50) told the Star shortly after she was attended to.

Matheka thanked the doctors alongside the Rotary Club of Kitengela for organising and conducting the free medical camp stating that it was a blessing, especially for some struggling residents.

She said the high cost of living in the country had made healthcare services equally expensive thereby making the majority of low-earners or jobless Kenyans unable to access medication in hospitals.

“The services we have received here today are expensively charged in most of the hospitals in Kitengela. For instance, a facility charges Sh150 to test for diabetes, one of the services I have received here free of charge. For tests on cervical cancer, the costs are unimaginably high,” Matheka said.

Peres Nyawira said she had for a long period of time suffered from eye problems but hadn’t sought medication due to high costs. She visited the facility for the first time to benefit from the free medical camp.

“I have suffered a lot for a long time, but God has answered my prayers today. My eyes have been checked by an ophthalmologist, treated, and given drugs for free. I could have spent a lot of money if I were to pay for all the services I have received today,” Nyawira said.

Paul Mwanzia who had taken his son for an eye check-up said he was grateful for the services.

“Rotary Club of Kitengela has saved us a great deal. My child has been treated, and we are now going home ready for school’s re-opening,” Mwanzia said.

He said they had saved money which they could have spent for the medication and were now ready to pay school fees, prepare their children for school.

Rotary Club of Kitengela President Judy Maruru said the exercise was part of their annual medical camp conducted each year.

“The services we have offered today include optical, cervical cancer screening, diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer screening, comprehensive lab services, coughs and colds, mental health counselling, vaccinations, maternal and child health clinic and non-communicable diseases consultations,” Maruru said.

She said 300 out of 1,300 patients were treated for eye-related ailments.

Maruru said their main focus with the free medical camp were Kajiado County residents, though it attracted others from Machakos and Nairobi counties.

She said they considered having an optical clinic in the camp following requests and research conducted by the team after last year’s medical camp at the same venue.

“Our main focus this year was optical because last year, when we did the medical camp, we realised that there was an issue of eye problems. Lots of people were enquiring about optical services. So, this year, we have partnered with City Eye Hospital to bring the medical aspect,” Maruru said.

Maruru said it was the third year they were conducting their annual medical camps at St. Theresa dispensary.

She said they had other areas of focus that included the WASH project, and they have drilled boreholes in Rombo, Kajiado County, Kitui and Amboseli.

“Another area of focus is education, we sponsor needy students. We are also passionate about maternal health. We are a group of professionals, we come together to help the society,” Maruru said.

Maruru called for other corporations, institutions, investors, and philanthropists to join hands in supporting the less privileged in society.

“Come and support us, Rotary is a structured way to give back to the society,” she said.

Meshack Okok attributed high eye problems in Kitengela to ‘highly polluted’ environment.

“There is a lot of dust, lack of water, effluent from industries, and smoke, hence increased eye problems,” Okok said.

St. Theresa Hospital’s nurse, Christine Kesa, said they target underserved communities.

“We target this community because most of the times we receive lots of patients who can’t afford medical services. As we treat the patients, we also create awareness on the need to seek medication in accredited health facilities while sick,” Kesa said.