Over 2000 patients with bone related illnesses are poised to receive free medical treatment, thanks to a free week long medical camp pitched at Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital in the outskirts of Kisii town, Kisii County
At least 1,500 people had already registered to be seen by Tuesday morning and the number was still piling by evening.
The transformative orthopedic medical camp launched by the Mairura Foundation in partnership with the Mission Hospital will offer free specialised care to hundreds of patients from various parts of the country, many of whom have long endured bone and joint conditions without treatment due to financial and infrastructural constraints.
Leading the initiative, Dr Edwin Mairura, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and the visionary behind the foundation explained the scope of the camp saying it would bridge the healthcare gap and reduce inequalities through the targeted orthopedic services.
Dr Mairura explained that the camp was offering both surgical and non-surgical interventions which would help reduce disparities in various communities.
He noted that treatments ranged from common ailments such as shoulder, knee, and hip pain, to severe trauma cases, often caused by motorcycle accidents which was a growing safety concern in the area.
He said joint replacements would be performed to restore mobility and quality of life to patients who had almost given up hope.
The orthopedic Doctor expressed optimism that the consultations will exceed last year’s number, which was 1500.
He said specialized surgeons were on-site to treat complex upper limb deformities and other conditions.
“Last year at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), we performed about 40 operations and served over 1,000 patients,” recalled Dr Mairura.
To him, they have already lined up 115 surgical cases and expect to complete between 40 and 50 operations by the end of the camp.
Dr Mairura said the initiative welcomed all age groups, from children with congenital deformities to elderly patients struggling with degenerative bone diseases.
Urging residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, he cited the Foundation’s vision saying it extends beyond treatment as it champions preventive healthcare.
“Watch your diet, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and listen to your body,” Dr Mairura advised.
The hospital’s CEO Dancan Mosioma applauded the initiative saying the burden of these conditions was enormous, and the cost of care, quite high.
Mosioma said that some orthopedic surgeries, such as spinal procedures or joint replacements, can cost more than Sh500,000 at private hospitals.
The CEO expressed concern that Kisii lacked a dedicated orthopedic and spine centre adding they envisioned to build a permanent facility right at the hospital in a bid to have continuous treatment for those in need.
One patient from Mombasa County, Elijah Maranga said he learnt about the camp from his aunt and decided to Travel because his illness had persisted after he had an accident and injured the right shoulder.
He decried the long queues and wished there would be more doctors and more such camps to offer the services.
Hellen Kwamboka from Nakuru said she had suffered for a long period after she injured her leg.
Kwamboka described the process as slow and hoped they add more camp days to ensure all were being treated.
Charles Ondieki from Kuresoi Nakuru County was optimistic that the aches in his hands would finally be a thing of the past.
He urged the organisers to have such initiatives more frequently adding that a week-long exercise was not adequate to serve the overwhelming numbers.
He lamented how he had used a lot of money and seen many doctors in vain.
By Jane Naitore
