Isinya residents in Kajiado East Constituency have been encouraged to seek medical care at approved health facilities instead of resorting to traditional methods when they get sick.
Speaking at Isinya Health Centre during a free medical camp organised by the Seed4Harvest non-governmental organisation, WorldServe International and the Kajiado County government, Pamela Bell from Seed4Harvest said that it was important for people to seek routine preventive maintenance of health rather than waiting to be seriously sick to seek medical care.
She remarked that they were trying to educate the population on the importance of seeking health services at the healthcare facilities instead of using traditional means.
“By doing so, we direct them to hospitals for high blood pressure and diabetes screening, prenatal care, and management of infections and let them become accustomed to the routine preventive maintenance of health rather than waiting to seek medical attention only when they are critically ill,” she said.
Stating that Seeds4Harvest NGO is based in the United States of America, Pamela noted the cultural concepts on health were different from those of Kenya. She was, however, quick to explain that they are not trying to force the American culture on Kenyans but instead learning the Kenyan culture to work within it.
She revealed that besides the free medical treatment, they are also carrying out education and medical partnerships with the Kajiado County government to identify areas of partnership in prenatal care, pharmacy or paediatrics.
“We are in talks with Alex Kilowua, the County Executive Committee Member for Health, to identify which department can be strengthened by our partnership through human capital, supplies in medicine or surgical equipment or beautification of the Isinya Health Centre, like the prenatal ward for babies,” said Pamela.
She appreciated the efforts made by the Community Health Promoters, saying that it was a beautiful invention as it ensured that communities could access health services without visiting the hospitals.
The officer in charge of the Isinya Health Centre, Jackson Sitoya, said that the two-day free medical camp was beneficial to the residents as they supplemented the services that the county government has been offering, especially on paediatric care.
“I urge the residents to avail themselves whenever there are free medical camps, as specialist doctors are available and many patients can be attended to at a go,” said Sitoya.
He also reiterated that people should seek medical care at the hospitals, adding that the Social Health Authority is working at the facility and registration of the same is going on for those who are not registered yet.
Dorris Mwende, one of the beneficiaries, was thankful for paediatric care for her two babies and requested for more medical camps, as most people are sick and they are unable to visit the hospital due to lack of funds for medical expenses.
Medical services offered during the free medical camp are paediatric and neonatal care, pharmacy and general outpatient services.
By Diana Meneto
