More than 800 residents of the Cotton City slum and its environs in Athi River town, Mavoko Sub-County, have benefited from a free medical camp courtesy of UTU Charity Foundation and the Machakos County Government.
Over 100 people were able to receive Covid-19 vaccines at the medical camp, which were donated by the Machakos County Government and administered by medical practitioners from the Athi River Level 3 Hospital, as a means of building resilient health communities.
Speaking to KNA at the Cotton City slum, where the medical camp was set, UTU Charity Foundation Secretary, Dr Tabitha Kareithi, confirmed that the medical camp is a free rotational program that aims to serve over 5,000 people, including 2,000 children, in Machakos County.
“We realized that the habitats of this slum lack finances for medical care. We are, therefore, here to offer medical services to the residents at a free cost. The camp is not a one-time event, we will be moving all over the County,” said Kareithi.
“We are targeting to attend to over 5,000 residents including 2,000 children and ensure that they receive the medical care that they need,” added Kareithi.
She pointed out that the County Government of Machakos donated all the Covid-19 vaccines, adding that the drugs were also donated by the County Government and pharmaceutical companies to whom they had previously reached out for assistance.
Kareithi noted that the Covid-19 specialists, as well as other medical personnel providing medical assistance, were all from the Athi River Level 3 Hospital.
“We appreciate the Machakos County Government for offering the vaccines, other drugs and the medical personnel to administer them. The doctors who are here to attend to the residents are from Athi River Level 3 Hospitals,” said Kareithi.
She stated that the medical professionals at the camp provided a variety of services such as consultation, counseling and treatment and were focusing on dermatological conditions, lifestyle diseases, dental issues and vaccinations for children.
“We are here to offer both counselling, consultation and treatment services for a variety of diseases, starting from lifestyle diseases, communicable diseases and dermatological conditions. We have doctors to diagnose and see the patients, personnel’s administering the Covid-19 vaccine, a dental team offering oral hygiene consultation and services,” said Kareithi.
“We also have a nutritionist who is offering consultation on matters regarding nutrition and a stand that will be talking about Eczema and other skin conditions. We also gave the children enough dewormers, the polio vaccine for the under two years,” Kareithi added.
Kareithi guaranteed those who did not receive any assistance during the camp, to go to the Athi River level 4 Sub-County Hospitals, where they would be attended to.
“Those who will not be able to be served from here will be referred to Athi River Level 4 Sub-County Hospital and receive treatment since most of the medical personnel here are from the Sub-County Hospital,” Kareithi said.
She indicated that providing healthcare services to residents who cannot afford, is a way to build a resilient community to promote economic development.
The UTU Secretary appreciated the Cotton City residents, Jam City and Kwa Were slams for adhering to the call and mobilizing more people to come out and receive free medical services.
“We would like to acknowledge the efforts of the people of Cotton City for mobilizing individuals to come and benefit from our medical camp services,” added Kareithi.
She stated that the free medical camp, as well as other contributions provided by the UTU Charity Foundation, is a means for them to give back to the community.
UTU Charity is a Kenyan-based, registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), with a focus on health and sanitation. Its objectives include facilitating medical camps, instituting nutrition programs, mentorship and sanitation projects, among other activities at grassroots level.
By Conceptah Isanya and Rachael Kilonzo
