There is a lot of debate at the moment about healthcare – which underscores just how important good health is to the Kenyan populace.
One this is clear though — many Kenyans still do not have access to quality healthcare.
A 2021 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report indicates that 37.5% of Kenya’s population is multidimensionally poor.
That about 35.8% are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. This level of poverty affects access to healthcare for the poor person.
There is no gainsaying that the vagaries of life; tough economic times, and common marginalisation factors have made access to healthcare a puzzle to many Kenyans.
Although the government is scratching its head daily, trying to find a lasting solution to this conundrum, many Kenyans living in slums, and other marginalised areas still cannot access quality healthcare.
It is worth noting that the Vision 2030 identifies the health sector as being very essential to economic development and realization of fundamental human rights.
To realise these important goals – healthcare providers – especially those from private practice — could help by organising free medical camps every so often.
This would go a long way in helping sick and ailing Kenyans to access healthcare – especially those with a thin purse.
Many needy and marginalised Kenyans have benefited from free medical camps organised by local and even international doctors – and lives have been saved and others improved. I am one such beneficiary.
Just last week – people from my local area of Kiambu received free dental check-ups in a bid to lift the burden of acquiring dental services, which are costly for many.
St Peter’s Orthopaedics and Surgical Speciality Centre in Muthiga, Kiambu county, had partnered with specialists from India to offer the free dental check-ups.
The hospital also significantly slashed fees required for dental services, opening the doors to quality healthcare to many suffering Kenyans.
Many from the area benefitted from services like tooth filling, extraction, braces, crowing, polishing, root canal, desiccation and bridging.
The hospital has extended the free check-ups for another week, in a bid to attend to as many patients as possible.
Sometimes you never know how much the people are suffering, until you see thousands of them lining to benefit from free medical camps and check-ups.
Free check-ups are important, and helpful especially to Kenyans who cannot afford quality healthcare.
I spoke to DR. Wasena, the St. Peter’s Orthopaedics Director of Medical Services, who told me that these free check-ups are meant to help those who cannot afford them.
That many residents have benefitted from the free check-ups, and even discounted rates for services that would otherwise cost an arm and a leg.
As a beneficially or free health check-ups, I think many stakeholders with support from the government should come out to offer discounted and free check-ups to benefit many needy and marginalised areas.
BY CITIZEN DIGITAL