Over 2,000 residents in Garissa villages targeted for medical aid 

African Charity Aid for the Needy is targeting over 2,000 persons in support of medical aid at the remote villages in Garissa County.

Mohamed Shire Farah, the coordinator of the organization, said the targeted are pastoralists with limited access to healthcare facilities.

He said a need-based assessment carried out by the organization revealed that mothers and children with various serious health conditions were languishing in the remote areas with no medical support.

"We have now reached almost six villages where our volunteer health team attended to patients with serious health complications," said the coordinator.

Shire called for the need to reach the underprivileged communities living in remote areas who have no access to health centres.

He emphasized the need to support the elderly, expectant mothers and children whom he considered the most vulnerable.

At Kasha village in Balambala Sub County where the organization was aiding the community, residents who spoke to The Eastleigh voice said the nearest health centre was 60 km away.

Abdi Mohamed Ali (70), who was diagnosed with a heart problem, said he was languishing in pain for almost one year with no medical care.

"Today, I am relieved after getting medication and support to Garissa Referral Hospital for further medical assistance," said Abdi.

Aisha Maalim, a mother of seven children who brought all her children to the medical camp, said it was a rare opportunity to meet nurses and doctors in the village.

Medics said most cases attended to are fever among a majority of the children, hypertension and other common diseases.