Over the last five days, Ngiriambu Primary School in Kirinyaga County, hundred of residents have been turning up to access the free health services being offered at the health camp.
Over 1,500 people have benefited from the health camp, which has included free cancer screenings for cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and HPV vaccines. The residents have been thrilled to access these health services, which would have cost them dearly.
The health camp which is a collaboration of the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, the Kirinyaga County Government, and other partners, has also included general health check-ups, information on tobacco and nicotine, and enrollment in the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The residents have been appreciative of the timely health services, citing the fact that the cost of screenings often results in delays in getting the required health care.
On the last day of the health camp, the Public Health Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, visited the Ngiriambu School and addressed the large number of residents who turned up for the health services.
“Early cancer detection is important. It could lead to the treatment of the condition. Therefore, we want to encourage all of you to regularly visit your nearest health facilities for check-ups. Moreover, we want you to enroll in SHA so that the cost of the check-ups does not prevent you from getting the required health care,” said the Public Health Principal Secretary.
The health officials have been praising the large turnout for the health camp, citing the fact that the residents have been appreciative of the health camps that aim to provide health check-ups and cancer screenings at their disposal.
According to the health officials, many health camps will be rolled out across the country to promote health check-ups, cancer screenings, and prevention.
