Red Cross Hold Free Medical Camp In Mt Elgon

By Isabella Maua

Hundreds of residents from Nalondo in Chepkube, Mt Elgon, have received free medical talk and treatment courtesy of Red Cross Bungoma in the course of this week.

While addressing the residents at Nalondo shopping centre, where Red Cross had set camp, Stanley Marane, the nursing officer at Nalondo Dispensary, urged them to sleep under treated mosquito nets and get regular testing for malaria since the area is endemic.

“Today we have diagnosed over 70% of patients with malaria, which ranges from infants to adults, and it is alarming,” he warned.

He further noted that there have been many cases of missed opportunities when it came to vaccination against measles in children under the age of 5.

Over 200 community members received free malaria diagnosis and treatment, family planning services for women including Depo Provera, daily pills and injections for 3 years, blood sugar testing, blood pressure testing and measles vaccines for children under the age of 5.

Elizabeth Naliaka, a 48-year-old woman from Chepsienya, could not hide her gratitude while speaking to Newsline. She says she has been feeling unwell recently with frequent headaches and backaches, but she has been treated.

“The nurse has advised me to go for a check-up during the weekend at Nalondo Dispensary so that he can check my blood pressure again because today it has been quite higher than normal,” she divulged.

Emily Chepsir, a nurse from Nalondo Dispensary, observed that unlike in the recent past, the region has recorded reduced cases of new HIV/AIDS infections among both female and male genders.

“Today, we have had only one new case of HIV/AIDS infection, and after counselling the patient, she has agreed to take up medication and lead a healthy life; otherwise, the rest who are already infected are progressing well with their medication,” highlighted Chepsir.

Sadly, though, cases of teenage mothers continue to rise, mostly as a result of peer pressure and the porous border.

“Many parents here are illiterate and ignorant of their children’s whereabouts and movements, making it easier for them to cross to Uganda, which is 5 minutes away, just across the River Lwakhakha,” reported Justine Wanyama, a community health promoter from Walanga.

The recorded cases were of 3 teenage mothers seeking antenatal care services for the first time, 3 seeking clinic services and 3 seeking treatment for their children.

The integrated outreach services programme benefited over 200 residents across Bulukha, Kasengeli, Chepsienya, Walanga, Sitikho and Namatotoa villages.