Teso South Member of Parliament Mary Emase has launched a six-day free medical camp for patients with eye- and dental-related ailments in Busia County.
The medical camp being conducted in partnership with Medical Education and Aids in Kenya (MEAK) at Alupe Sub County Hospital will address both eye and dental problems.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise Monday, Emase noted that many Teso South residents were silently suffering from eye and dental problems due to limited access to medical care.
She singled out low electricity connectivity in the area as one of the reasons many households still depend on traditional lighting sources, which she says have contributed to rising eye complications.
“Many people here are affected by eye diseases because the electricity supply in this subcounty is low. Most rely on traditional lighting, and this leaves them with eye complications. I have personally taken many residents to Tororo in Uganda for treatment. We need to help our people, and that’s why this medical camp is here,” she said.
The lawmaker added that the camp is targeting at least 3,000 beneficiaries who will receive eye treatment, including 300 cataract surgeries and comprehensive dental care to relieve persistent tooth pain and restore functionality.
According to the MP, additional services will be provided through a partnership involving county health staff and Alupe University.
“The county government has provided health workers to carry out TB screening, which has affected many people in this Sub County.
We are also doing leprosy screening during these six days. The health of our people is a priority because for you to be a leader, you must have people to lead,” Emase stated.
She further called on the Busia County Government to strengthen service delivery in public health facilities to ease the burden on residents.
The legislator lamented the continued underutilisation of existing medical infrastructure due to lack of staffing and stalled essential utilities.
“We have a complete mortuary here with modern fridges, but it is not working because electricity and terrazzo are not done. We also have new X-ray machines that have been here for three years without being used because there are no staff.
Our people have been forced to travel to Busia Referral or Bungoma for services. I want the governor to employ more staff so these machines can be operationalised,” she said.
Emase also proposed the establishment of a dedicated hospital to handle outbreak and emergency cases to avoid turning Alupe Sub County Hospital into an isolation centre that instills fear among residents.
“This hospital has always been used as an isolation centre during outbreaks of contagious diseases, creating fear among our people. We need a specific place for emergencies so that services at Alupe Sub County Hospital are not interrupted,” she said.
Residents who attended the camp expressed optimism, saying the initiative had come at the right time and would save many from costly private healthcare.
“I recently had an accident and lost eight teeth, but today I am happy because they are going to replace them. I urge all leaders in this county to work together and improve health services because we are suffering,” said Martin Mukanda, a beneficiary.
Another resident, Camulus Ayugi, said poverty has forced many to live with untreated illnesses for years.
“I have had eye problems and chest pain for a long time. Getting an X-ray has been difficult and very expensive in private hospitals. This medical camp has come as a rescue to me,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
