Bringing Health Care Closer to the Needy: Free Medical Camps in Informal Settlements
Over 1,200 people from Korogocho benefited from a free medical camp held in the informal settlement last weekend. This weekend, The African Population & Health Research Center (APHRC) held another free medical camp in Viwandani informal settlement at Star of Hope Primary School on Sunday, June 20 2010 starting 9.00am.
Why Free Medical Camps
The burden of disease is alarmingly high in the informal settlements. Many people suffer and die of causes that can be prevented or treated because they are usually not aware of what services are available to them and where to access the services. During the free medical camps held in June and November every year, APHRC collaborates with the Nairobi City Council Health Clinics, The Kenya Diabetes Management Information Center, The University of Nairobi Medical Students Associations and others to bring health services closer to these communities and to create awareness of where the communities can access proper medical care.
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| A doctor attending to a patient during the free medical camp. |
How High is the Burden of Disease in Informal Settlements?
- Child mortality is high with 18% of children dying before their 5th birthday mainly because of diarrhea and other treatable/preventable causes;
- Maternal mortality is highest in the slums at 700 per 100,000 live births against a national rate of 414/100,000;
- HIV/AIDs prevalence in the slums is almost double the national prevalence. In Korogocho, the HIV/AIDS prevalence stands at 14%;
- 17% of the adult population in the slums have either high blood pressure or diabetes and majority are not even aware that they have these conditions;
Services Offered at the APHRC Free Medical camps
Consultation and Treatment, Diabetes Screening and Management, Family Planning Information and Services, Vaccination, De-worming, and VCT.
Tags: Star of Hope Primary School; Free Medical Camps;
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