Kitui South Residents enjoy a free medical camp

By Daniel Mwendo

Over 2,000 people of all ages and sexes availed themselves from different sides of Kitui south constituency to benefit from a free medical clinic held today at Mutomo primary school grounds. The medical clinic, sponsored by the Khaki Foundation in conjunction with the Safaricom Foundation, KEMSA, Pharmacy and Poisons Board and Diabetics Management Institute (DMI) saw people with different ailments receive tests and drugs. The event was one of its kind and magnitude since independence.

Medical personnel from Mutomo sub-county converged at the primary school grounds to ensure the success of the event as residents started streaming as early as 6.00 a.m. There were heart wrenching cases like Mr. Maleve Kitema’s two girl twins from Mutha division, Voo location who were born without mouth openings and doctors had to improvise a small mouth opening which only allows them to feed on liquid foods.

Medical experts present educated those present about the various diseases and were quick to point out that diseases like diabetics were life style diseases which can be prevented by doing exercises and going back to traditional foods like millet and sorghum, a sentiment echoed by Professor Muasya, the chairman of Khaki Foundation and the deputy vice chancellor, administration and planning SEKU University.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Irungu of DMI hinted that a project targeting 12 year olds will be launched  with an objective of sensitizing these children on good eating habits as they can easily influence the type of food taken at the family level.

The local MP,Dr.Rachael Kaki Nyamai addresses the crowd
during the free medical camp (Photo:Daniel Mwendo/MCV)

“Kitui County will benefit from the second phase of the project,” she said

The Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Cherop appreciated the event organizers’ efforts stating that it was the first of its kind for the seven years he had been in the sub-county. Mr. Cherop cited poverty and illiteracy as twin challenges which were preventing the locals from accessing health facilities.

“I am therefore urging other elected leaders to consider emulating the local MP and initiate such free medical clinics” said the administrator.

In her brief speech, the local Member of Parliament, Dr. Rachael Kaki Nyamai thanked the sponsors of the event and all the other parties for making the event a success. Using the twin analogy, the MP said that Ikutha district will be the venue for the next event .To boost education, hence reduce poverty, the politician said that her CDF office had given bursary worth over 12 million.

Dr.Kaki additionally promised that she will ensure that Mutomo and Ikutha health centers are alleviated to district hospitals.