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More than 200 patients receive specialised care in Baolala, Malindi County

Baolala residents being attended to by a healthcare professional at the Baolala Health Care Centre. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Thursday, June 20, 2024

This special outreach was organised by the Department of Health to inaugurate the Malindi sub-county Primary Care Health Network.

More than 200 patients were attended to by medical specialists from the Malindi sub-county Hospital at their rural health centre in Baolala.

This special outreach was organised by the Department of Health to inaugurate the Malindi sub-county Primary Care Health Network.

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The outreach was conducted by a Multi-Disciplinary Team that included obstetrician-gynaecologists, ENT specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, dentists, mental health professionals, internal medicine physicians, general surgeons, diabetic foot care specialists, ophthalmologists, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists and occupational therapists.

Baolala residents being attended to by a healthcare professional at the Baolala Health Care Centre. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

"It is a relief to have these services brought to our community. I no longer have to travel long distances for my healthcare needs. This initiative truly makes a difference in our lives," one of the beneficiaries, Hamisa Juma said.

Another patient, Tsuma Chigamba, sharing his experience said, "As someone who needs regular diabetic foot care, having specialists visit Baolala is invaluable. It saves me both time and money."

John Mwangi, who received dental care, applauded the move.

"The convenience of accessing specialised dental services right here in our village is something we have never had before. I am grateful for this outreach programme," he said.

The Department of Health has restructured the county's health facilities into Primary Health Care Networks, with hospitals serving as hubs and primary healthcare facilities as spokes.

Baolala residents line up to receive medical services at the Baolala Health Care Centre. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

This strategy involves 31 multi-disciplinary team service sites that will provide care to clusters of spokes linked to them.

Each hub will act as a referral facility for the spokes. Multi-disciplinary teams from these hubs will visit 31 primary healthcare facilities monthly to offer specialised care, increasing access for people in rural areas.

“This way, we are accelerating and increasing Universal Health Coverage,” stated Edward Mumbo, the Kilifi County Head of the Division of Primary Health Care.

Baolala, one of the 31 spokes, will offer services such as nutritional counselling, eye care, laboratory services, immunisations, cervical cancer screening, non-communicable disease screening, care for high-risk obstetric cases, outpatient surgical services, orthopaedic care, ENT care, and dental services.

The initiative, under the theme “Leaving No One Behind,” aims to reduce travel costs and time for residents, reflecting the Department of Health’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage for Kilifi. This aligns with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s manifesto to prioritize the health and well-being of Kilifi residents.