Free Medical Camp at Gatei Health Center

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FREE MEDICAL CAMP, COMMUNITY THANKS VARSITY

Author: Nashilluh Brendah Kabindio

In pursuit of its vision of maintaining good neighborliness and relations with the community, the University, in conjunction with the Karen Hospital and the Nyeri County Government, on Saturday, 9^th July 2022, held a Free Medical Camp at Gatei Health Centre. Coordinated by the Centre for Community Outreach, the event attracted over five hundred and eighty (580) members of the community, among them the elderly and children, from Gatei area and the larger Mathira East Sub-county.

According to Dr. Josphat Kagema, the Coordinator, Centre for Community Outreach, the medical camp was one way of the University giving back to the community.

Dr. Josphat Kagema, Coordinator, Centre for Community Outreach addressing the community

“I thank the University management for supporting this event. The extension of these services to the people of Nyeri County, and particularly Mathira East Sub-county, will go a long way in cementing University-community relationships,” said Dr. Kagema.

The Coordinator expressed his delight in seeing the fruition of the partnership between the University, Nyeri County Government and the Karen Hospital.

Standing in for the Ministry of Health, Mathira East Sub-county, the Nurse-in-Charge at Gatei Health Centre, Ms. Anne Njeri Karigithi, said she was glad that the medical camp was being held at the Health Centre because it would benefit the community.

“This is the first event being held in this community in a span of four years. We would like to see more of these events being held in small hospitals found within these communities,” she said.

Ms. Anne Njeri Karigithi, Nurse-in-Charge, Gatei Health Centre

Ms. Millicent Kaoga, the Regional Business Development Officer representing the Karen Hospital stated that the event was one of a series of regular Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities conducted by the Karen Hospital.

“This is our way of giving back to the people. To the Gatei community, we will be offering free services on one-on-one doctor consultation, screening for diseases, checking blood pressure as well as optical services,” she said.

Ms. Millicent Kaoga (carrying blue sling bag) representing the Karen Hospital

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Solomon Gichohi Gitahi, a community leader, thanked the University, together with other partners, for bringing the medical services closer to the people.

“We are happy to have these services brought closer to us. This is good especially for the elderly who, during this cold season, suffer from many ailments but are not able to access these services due to long distances to access hospital facilities and lack of finances. This free medical camp is good for them.” he said.

The University Acting Medical Officer, Ms. Anne Ngochi, together with students from Nursing Sciences and Public Health, participated in offering a number of services including diabetes screening, laboratory services, drug administration and giving referrals for further management of different medical issues.

Team from the University led by the Acting Medical Officer, Ms. Anne Ngochi

Also present were Dr. Joan Wakasa Murumba, the Director (ODeL)/Ag. Director, ICT representing the Senate Committee on Outreach and Extension, Ms. Brendah Kabindio, the Corporate Communications Officer and staff from other sections of the University.

The medical camp marked one of the targets lined up as a deliverable in the Performance Contract for the 2022/2023 Financial Year.