FREE MEDICAL CAMPS FULFIL COMPONENT OF UNIVERSITY MANDATE ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH

FREE MEDICAL CAMPS FULFIL COMPONENT OF UNIVERSITY MANDATE ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH

DVC (ARSA), Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho, together with the Senior Chief of the area, undergoing an eye diagnosis by doctors from Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital

Karatina University, in collaboration with Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital from Nairobi, held a successful free medical camp on Saturday 4th February 2023 at Karatina Stadium.  The event offered medical support to members of the local community on various services especially eye diagnosis, diabetes screening, high blood pressure and general physician consultations.

The event was officially launched by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mucai Muchiri, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ARSA) Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho. In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor noted that the aim of holding these medical camps is to fulfill one of the components of the University mandate which is community outreach. This is because, he stated, the relevance of any university is demonstrated by the impact it has on the local community.  He also noted that the Camp was part of the University’s contribution to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage which is one of Kenya’s development agendas.

A Community Health Worker (in a blue blazer) assists the MCA Konyu Ward, Julius Kamiri (in a brown coat) to access a service.

The collaboration with Lions Sight First Eye Hospital, the third with the University, strategically brought the Free Eye and Diabetes Screening Camp and other medical services to the people of Karatina town and its environs. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the current high cost of medical check-ups, coupled with high transport costs, determinedly made the University to bring the medical services closer to the people. He appreciated the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Research and Student Affairs), Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho for organizing the Camp together with members of her division; the Coordinator of the Community Outreach, Dr. Josphat Kagema, and his Committee who worked on all logistics. This was in partnership with local leaders and chiefs who mobilized members of the public to attend the Camp. He also appreciated the involvement of staff from the Health Unit, students from the School of Nursing, and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition for providing services to the patients. 

Prof. Aloo-Obudho, in her remarks, noted that the University has been pivotal in providing quality services to the community including school mentorship programmes, donation of face masks to vulnerable elderly citizens, environmental awareness and sensitizations, and training of youth and caregivers among others. The University will augment such activities in the future to enhance a wider reach to residents in the region and beyond.