Kimama Residents Benefit From Free Red Cross Medical Camp

By Isabella Maua

The Kenya Red Cross held a medical outreach camp at Kimama, Chesikaki, in Mt. Elgon on Thursday.

The exercise, which was aimed at reaching out to residents in hard-to-reach areas in the quest to reduce their burden of seeking medical services in far-off areas, saw the elderly, children, expectant mothers, and pupils benefit from free check ups and diagnoses

Speaking with The Times Newspaper, Dr. Herbert Ogoti, Reproductive Health Services Coordinator, Cheptais Ward, said that their major aim is to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence cases, which are very common in those areas.

“Besides giving health talks today, we offer free preventive drugs to victims of GBV like PrEP to prevent HIV and pregnancies, tetanus, and Hepatitis B drugs, as well as referrals to safe hospitals or hospitals for advanced medical attention,” disclosed Dr. Ogoti.

“We’re very grateful for the Red Cross having considered visiting us; my date for giving birth is almost due, but I skip many clinic visits because of the long distance and lack of money to pay for my transport to and fro,” decried one of the women from Kambi Maji.

She further disclosed that not only are they forced to give birth at home because of the poor terrain and long distance to health facilities, but their children are also victims of a lack of vaccination for the same reasons.

“When our children fall ill, especially at night, our hands are normally tied because we can’t get to the hospital because of high insecurity risks and a very long distance; unfortunately, we also don’t have even a single chemist around,” she lamented.

George Masasabi, also a beneficiary of the services, expressed his gratitude to the Red Cross for the noble action, urging them to carry out more of such activities in the near future.

“I’ve been diagnosed with Malaria and eye problems; luckily, I’ve been given medication and referred to Cheptais for an eye check up. The Red Cross has assisted the elderly like me, and we beseech them to come back soon,” reiterated Masasabi.