Doha:Uasin Gishu More than 500 residents of Turbo Sub-County received free medical attention over the weekend during a comprehensive outreach initiative at Sugoi B Dispensary organized by the Uasin Gishu County Government. This event highlighted efforts to bring essential services closer to rural communities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the medical camp was led by County Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services Dr. Billy Lubanga. The camp offered various services, including general consultations, chronic disease management, gynecological and obstetric care, cervical and breast cancer screening, family planning services, and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.
The initiative was supported by partners such as the Ministry of Health’s Division of Reproductive Health, the Chronic Disease Society, and Phillips Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Lubanga emphasized the importance of decentralizing healthcare to ensure that distance and cost do not hinder residents from accessing timely treatment.
Dr. Edward Serem, head of the Division of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, underscored the significance of collaboration between national and county governments. He advocated for continuous public education, regular screening, and easier access to reproductive health information, noting the effectiveness of community outreaches in reaching those who might delay seeking care.
Turbo Sub-County Coordinator Wilson Tuwei and members of the Sub-County Health Management Team were present to manage logistics and ensure smooth patient flow. Tuwei praised the county-organized medical camps for addressing barriers by delivering multi-disciplinary teams, diagnostic tools, and medicines to local dispensaries.
In many parts of Uasin Gishu, particularly in remote wards, residents face challenges such as long distances to well-equipped facilities and associated costs. These medical camps play a crucial role in early detection of illnesses, improving the uptake of family planning and reproductive health services, and accelerating registration for the SHA, contributing to universal health coverage.
The collaboration between the county, Ministry of Health, and private partners not only enhances resource allocation but also builds trust in the formal health system, offering rural households timely and affordable care close to home.
