Mobile clinics bring relief to Tana village residents left alone after floods

Salim Jarso, an elder in Handaraku village, sits under the shade of an old mango tree, his face filled with lines of worry and fatigue. The floods that have ravaged Tana River County have left him and other villagers in dire need. 

In Handaraku, residents are enduring two calamities — trying to survive the aftermath of the floods and holding on to life amid an aggressive cholera outbreak that has claimed several lives.

"There is no single house in this village that has not been experiencing diarrhoea, and there being no toilets, we have been searching for a mushy thicket to relieve ourselves," Salim says in a voice that reveals despair.

Floods submerged the Handaraku dispensary, and the nurse in charge has not been seen since this happened. The nearest hospital, the Ngao Sub-County Hospital, is more than 40 kilometres away and lacks the necessary drugs.

"There are no drugs in our hospitals. I have been there three times a month to check if I can find drugs. After consultation, you are asked to buy drugs from a local private pharmacy," said Esha Buyotu, another resident of Handaraku village.

Three people have died of cholera in the Tana Delta, and 152 others have tested positive. Hundreds of elders have to make a two-day journey to Kilifi County to get medication for diabetes, fearing their conditions will worsen.

Children are at a high risk of getting polio as vaccines are not available. 

Amid this storm lies a ray of hope. Amref Africa has provided mobile clinic services targeting the affected population in the Tana Delta. These mobile clinics are bringing much-needed medical care to the doorsteps of the flood-ravaged villages.

According to Amref's public health specialist, Solomon Mwaniki, the clinics provide services such as nutrition, immunisation, screening for diabetes and non-communicable diseases, family planning, and care for infectious diseases.

"We have attended to more than 2,000 households since we started this exercise. These people have been in desperate need of medical services, the turnout is a testament to their desire for good health," Mwaniki said.

In collaboration with the county government, Amref is also providing integrated preventive and promotional services in homes and schools. This is aimed at raising awareness about cholera prevention. 

"In the light of the clinical officer's strike, drug stock-outs in health facilities, and displacement caused by the recent flood crisis, Amref Africa intends to bolster the outreach across other areas in the county. This is the first out of many other outreaches planned to ensure the ongoing provision of health services; a lot still needs to be done until that time when the status quo will change," Mwaniki said.

Medics engage with a Tana village resident at a mobile clinic. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Residents of Tana Delta have welcomed the mobile clinics, expressing relief and gratitude for the lifesaving services brought to their doorstep. The initiative by Amref Africa is not only addressing immediate health concerns but also bringing hope and normalcy in a time of unprecedented crisis.

"Before the mobile clinics, we felt abandoned and helpless. Now, at least we can get medical attention without having to risk long and dangerous journeys. My children received polio vaccinations, and we were also treated for various ailments that had been troubling us for weeks," said Fatuma, a mother of four from Kilelengwani village.

The floods destroyed infrastructure, making access to clean water and sanitation difficult. This has exacerbated the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. 

The mobile clinics, equipped with essential medicines and dedicated health professionals, are crucial in mitigating the health crisis.

"We are conducting health education sessions to inform the community about the importance of hygiene and sanitation, especially in these conditions. We distribute chlorine tablets for water purification and demonstrate how to use them properly," said Mwaniki.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Elders, who are among the most vulnerable, are particularly grateful. 

Yusuf Ali, a 68-year-old resident of Handaraku village who has diabetes, termed the mobile clinic a blessing as he could not travel long distances for his medication.

The mobile clinics are also addressing mental health issues arising from the traumatic experiences of the floods and the ongoing health crisis. Health professionals are offering counselling and psychosocial support to enable residents to cope with stress and anxiety.

Residents of Tana River County noted that Amref Africa's mobile clinics symbolise resilience and solidarity, providing critical health services and rekindling hope.

"Our goal is to ensure everyone, especially the most vulnerable, receives the care they need to survive and thrive. The journey to recovery is ongoing, and we will continue to adapt and respond to the community's needs,” Mwaniki said.