The Kenya Navy provided treatment to over 500 residents of Kwale Sub County during a charity medical camp.
Residents benefited from free medical check-ups, cervical cancer screening, physician consultations, eye and dental check-ups, blood sugar tests, blood pressure measurements, body fat assessments, and Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings, among other services.
The full-day medical camp was held at the Kinango Sub County Hospital and patients who were diagnosed and treated included expectant mothers, the elderly, children and women.
The exercise was carried out in preparation for Kenya Navy’s 60th anniversary celebrations in December 2024.
Naval Medical Services Brigadier Dr. Justino Muinde says Kenya Navy Day is celebrated annually on December 14 to mark the establishment of the Kenya Navy and honours its achievements over the years.
Dr. Muinde said consultancy services included physician, general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), pediatrics, obstetrician, gynecologist and mental health services and blood donation drive.
He says as part of corporate social responsibility the Navy has also been undertaking drilling of boreholes and installation of water tanks for remote communities in Kwale.
The senior naval officer said that the free health programme aims at helping the residents in the coastal county get the necessary medical services from the Kenya Defence Forces.
“We are conducting these free medical services as a way of giving back to society. All these activities are geared towards our celebration for 60 years of service as Kenya Navy,” said Muinde.
Dr. Muinde said the Mombasa based Kenya Navy will continue to foster civil-military cooperation with host and neighbouring communities to extend the existing friendship and trust with the people.
He added that the Kenya Navy was highly conscious of the needs of the local community and would hold similar medical outreaches in the future.
Kwale County Chief Officer for Health, Curative and Rehabilitative Services Dr. Kitsao Mjimba said that the county government would continue to collaborate with all the stakeholders to enhance the wellbeing of the people.
“We want to thank the Navy for the initiative of bringing healthcare services closer to our people at no cost,” said Mjimba adding that the outreach initiative would make many people know their health status.
He thanked the Navy for finding time to come to Kinango and deliver free healthcare services to the poor and underserved people in remote areas facilitated by the expert military doctors.
Local community members expressed satisfaction and happiness at the opportunity to access modern healthcare services free of charge.
Mwanakombo Suleiman, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, thanked the Kenya Navy for the free medical camp noting that it would help residents cut down the expenses of looking for similar services in other health facilities.
“This activity has helped us since we have received free treatment, free medicine and I am happy that the services that I was to receive at Msambweni Referral Hospital, I received here at Kinango Sub County Hospital,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
