Residents from Othaya in an Nyeri County have received free screening for diabetes and other health conditions in a medical camp sponsored by the Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre (DMI) and Safaricom Foundation.
During the free medical camp, patients were screened for cancer and hypertension. They also received checkups and treatment for dental, cataract surgeries, family planning and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) checks.
“Health is one of our main areas of focus as a foundation and our objective is to improve the health status of vulnerable Kenyans. This ties in with the Sustainable Development Goal number 3 which calls for good health and well-being for all. As a foundation, we are committed to make a contribution to these goals through the partnerships we have with organizations like DMI.” said Safaricom Foundation Representative.
Since 2005 the two organisations have teamed up to reach close to 300,000 people across the country. In addition to the Kes 26 million set aside for the next year, Safaricom Foundation has over last the 12 years contributed over Kes 167 million towards the program which has so far featured 119 free medical camps.
Services offered during the medical camps include diabetes and cancer screening, dental and eye checks, family planning, VCT services, deworming and general checkups.
“Through these camps we are able to sensitize more people about non-communicable diseases like diabetes and the role that a healthy lifestyle plays in preventing such ailments.” said Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre Executive Director Eva Muchemi.
This is the second camp to be held in the seventh phase that was launched in November. The funds will be used to cater for 6 free medical camps and 3 diabetes youth camps across the country for the next one year.
Safaricom has continued to reach out to various consumers in a life changing way.This ‘team up’ is set to improve the medical lives of the people in Nyeri county.