A week-long free medical camp in Homa Bay County has been lauded by national and county health officials as a vital tool for disease surveillance, early diagnosis and improved access to healthcare services.
Speaking at the Ndhiwa annual free medical camp in Ndhiwa KMTC grounds, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the outreach forms a crucial part of the Ministry of Health’s community diagnosis strategy.
“The free medical camp is part of community diagnosis because the data gathered here will tell us the disease patterns in this region. That information is important for planning by both county and national governments. It also brings services closer to the people,” Amoth said.
The camp offered a wide range of services from screening for diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other medical conditions. It also hosted a surgical unit carrying out select procedures on-site. “With this model, we are bridging gaps in the journey toward universal health coverage,” he added.
Amoth challenged leaders across the country to emulate Suba North MP Martin Owino, who pioneered the initiative, saying, “If leaders can collectively replicate this example, then the people of Kenya will be healthier and more prosperous.”
Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Public Health and Medical Services Mercy Osewe said the camp, now in its seventh year, has played an essential role in expanding access to healthcare especially for the underserved population and that a significant portion of those attending are people who rarely or never visit hospitals.
“This camp has served people for a long time and brought services closer to them. We have many people coming for the first time because they would normally not go to the hospital. Being within their community and encouraged by community health volunteers and local leaders, they now feel confident seeking services,” she noted.
The CEC said the initiative has helped improve early detection of conditions such as HIV, hypertension, diabetes and various cancers. “This is a service that is very important and once these conditions are detected, patients can now follow up with us in the county facilities where comprehensive care is available,” she said.
Area MP Martin Owino said the main objective of the camp is early detection and improved management of diseases before they progress to severe stages.
“We want to revolutionise healthcare so that we don’t wait for people to fall sick and come for treatment,” he said, adding, “We want to go to them, identify diseases when they are still at early stages, and manage them when they are most treatable.”
Owino appreciated the collaboration between the national and the county governments and Homa Bay County leadership that made the camp successful, saying nearly 3,000 people had already been served with some being referred for specialised care.
He urged residents, especially the youth, to embrace preventive health checks including for prostate cancer, advising, “Don’t wait until you are over 50 to get screened. These days even younger men are being diagnosed. Go for testing even when you feel healthy.”
By Sitna Omar
