Over 3,500 Garissa residents benefit from Safaricom's 11th free medical camp

Over 3,500 residents of Garissa town on Saturday benefitted from a medical camp programme aimed at easing healthcare challenges.

The event was hosted by the M-PESA Foundation in partnership with Zuri Health and Lion Sight First Eye Hospital at Garissa Level 5 Teaching Hospital. Gertrude's Children's Hospital also participated in the event, which is the 11th medical camp by the Foundation.

Since its launch in May last year, over 24,000 people have benefitted from the free medical services in Lamu, Nairobi, Machakos, Trans Nzoia, Narok, Meru, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nyandarua and Mombasa counties.

Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu said the countrywide medical camps helped many less fortunate individuals with serious medical complications.

“As we successfully hold our 11^th free medical camp, we continue to realize our purpose of transforming lives and take healthcare services closer to the people, with a focus on non-communicable diseases, reproductive health advice and general health consultations,” said Ogutu.

Members of the public wait to be attended to at Garissa Level 5 Teaching Hospitalduring Safaricom’s free medical camp. (Issa Hussein)

Among the medical services provided at the camp were general consultations, cervical and breast cancer screening, Fistula screening, general doctor consultations, diabetes screening, hypertension monitoring and child health consultations.

The Foundation also handed 50 Mama Packs to mothers at the facility. The packs contain a baby shawl, diapers, sanitary towels, a wash basin and soap as part of its efforts to enhance maternal and child health.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama who officially opened the event appreciated the free medical camp by the joint partners.

"The programme is a noble initiative that our worthy partners have made available to us. The collaborative efforts offer the provision of medical services to the deserving members of the society," said Nathif.

Members of the public wait to be attended to at Garissa Level 5 Teaching Hospital during Safaricom’s free medical camp. (Issa Hussein)

Uche Ezedinachi of Zuri Health said they were providing technology solutions by offering patients who attend the medical camps free follow-up consultations with doctors via SMS and WhatsApp for up to six months.

Hussein Bashey, the County Clinical Coordinator, said the event was one of the biggest medical programmes ever held in Garissa.

"The population that arrived seeking free medical support surpasses the intended target of 3,000 patients," said Hussein.

He said Garissa County Referral Hospital, as a partner, deployed almost 100 medics to participate in the event.

Aisha Abdullahi, a mother, was among the beneficiaries of the free medical camp. Aisha said her child had chest pains and she had to travel from Modikor centre, 9km from Garissa town, to seek help at the free medical camp.