By Ann Ichungwa
The weather on this particular Saturday looked so gloomy, like the heavens were just about to
open up and I remember thinking, “Please, do not let it rain on the day of the medical camp.”
The weather on this particular Saturday looked so gloomy, like the heavens were just about to
open up and I remember thinking, “Please, do not let it rain on the day of the medical camp.”
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure and diabetes
in Kenya is growing swiftly. Responding to this, Rotary Club of Kikuyu hosted a one-day free
medical camp event specifically seeking to provide both preventive and curative treatment for
common conditions.
in Kenya is growing swiftly. Responding to this, Rotary Club of Kikuyu hosted a one-day free
medical camp event specifically seeking to provide both preventive and curative treatment for
common conditions.
The camp was held on Saturday 26th March 2022. Our volunteer team comprised of 12 medical
professional specialists and 30 health workers who set up and rendered their services. Patients were able to
undergo diabetes, ENT and dental screenings as well as receive doctor’s consultation, counseling
and nutrition advice.
The free one-day camp took place at Gikambura Stadium in Kikuyu sub-county where a total of
750 people attended, including women, men and children as beneficiaries of the medical
camp. Engaging successfully with the community in this way delivered our message clearly;
indeed Rotary Serves To Change Lives.
Key highlights
- 750 Physical Examinations/Triage were done on all who came in
- 280 hypertension and related complications cases were screened and offered health
nutritional education on the need to change lifestyle and prevent the hypertension
- 170 Dental checkup examination and oral health care sensitization on teeth cleaning
was done with each patient getting a toothbrush and toothpaste
- 200 sight testing and Eye Exams were conducted
- Majority of who attended the medical camp had HIV testing and counseling done
- Successful NHIF registration yielding a turnover of 130 newly registered members to the
health insurance scheme
- Community Training on disability-inclusive intervention and advocacy for adults and
children with cerebral palsy
- 12 medical partners and 30 health workers who supported and help us in delivering a
successful medical camp. This included NHIF, PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, Christian Health
Association of Kenya (CHAK), Novartis International, Garden Medical Centre, Green
Acres Medical Center, ICEA LIONS, Neo Vision Eye Care, Elephant Dental Unit, OCOA
Ambulance service, Maria Foundation and Trulabs Diagnostics
- 750 Physical Examinations/Triage were done on all who came in
- 280 hypertension and related complications cases were screened and offered health
nutritional education on the need to change lifestyle and prevent the hypertension
- 170 Dental checkup examination and oral health care sensitization on teeth cleaning
was done with each patient getting a toothbrush and toothpaste
- 200 sight testing and Eye Exams were conducted
- Majority of who attended the medical camp had HIV testing and counseling done
- Successful NHIF registration yielding a turnover of 130 newly registered members to the
health insurance scheme
- Community Training on disability-inclusive intervention and advocacy for adults and
children with cerebral palsy
- 12 medical partners and 30 health workers who supported and help us in delivering a
successful medical camp. This included NHIF, PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, Christian Health
Association of Kenya (CHAK), Novartis International, Garden Medical Centre, Green
Acres Medical Center, ICEA LIONS, Neo Vision Eye Care, Elephant Dental Unit, OCOA
Ambulance service, Maria Foundation and Trulabs Diagnostics
Healthcare is a critical problem for majority of the low income earners. The cost of getting medical services
scares a lot of people, resulting in a population that is silently suffering from diseases but
unable to do much about it. However, the Rotary Club of Kikuyu was able to assist the community
through the free medical camp sponsored by various private doctors.
scares a lot of people, resulting in a population that is silently suffering from diseases but
unable to do much about it. However, the Rotary Club of Kikuyu was able to assist the community
through the free medical camp sponsored by various private doctors.
As the afternoon sun began to set, the crowds started to trickle out slowly from the medical
camp with satisfaction on their faces, happy to have been seen and treated and or referred to
hospitals for specialized treatment.
Seeing the satisfaction on the faces of people who had been able to see a doctor or a specialist
health worker, was rather magical. They clearly valued the opportunity and the occasion. It was
the sense of community service, Rotarians and health workers going the extra mile for patients,
which made it all worthwhile.
I saw the faces of exhausted but smiling health professionals and other volunteers at the end of the
day. I can imagine they felt as I did– happy to have had the opportunity to help those who often
forego medical treatment as an unaffordable luxury.
And by luck, the rain that threatened the camp all day held off until the evening. It was a
memorable volunteer experience that brought to mind Maya Angelou’s quote: “People will
forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you
made them feel.”
