The residents of Loiyangalani, constituency, Marsabit County benefited from a 10-day Eye and Dental medical clinic courtesy of Health Yetu and Lions Sightfirst Eye Hospital and facilitated by our Winds of Change NGO.
The Health Yetu Eye and Dental Medical camp that ran from 27th October to 6th November 2024 brought critical healthcare services to Loiyangalani. The Loiyangalani Catholic Health Centre acted as the main camp. Each day, the camp opened its doors at 9 am with the local priest Father Mark Gitonga leading prayers and briefings to set a positive and collaborative tone for the activities.
Vision and other ophthalmic complaints were screened and treated by an Ophthalmologist while dental cases were assessed and treated by the Health Yetu team before being referred to the Lions team for procedures like extractions, full mouth scaling, and permanent filling as well as general medical consultations.
Despite the limited space at the health center, the team worked tirelessly to establish triage and consultation areas, ensuring patients received care in an organized manner.
At the end of the 10 days, the eye clinic had screened 1,950 patients, conducted 227 eye surgeries, and 95 prescription glasses issued to improve vision. The dental clinic screened 529 patients, carried out 309 extractions and completed 321 permanent fillings, alongside 1,623 general consultations.
In addition to dental and eye care, the camp offered vaccination services. 96 girls aged 10 to 14 against the Human papillomavirus (HPV), a critical measure in the fight against cervical cancer. The medical team also engaged in discussions on menstrual hygiene, further supporting the health and well-being of young women in the community.
Reaching isolated areas
The medical services were extended beyond Loiyangalani to Moite and Nayanaalim. This outreach ensured that even the most isolated populations had access to medical care. Despite the logistical challenges, the team maintained full operations at the main camp, with patient numbers increasing daily. Strong partnerships were instrumental to the camp’s success.
Through Winds of Change, we were able to provide much-needed logistical support for residents who were not able to get to the main camp. We acknowledge the pre-camp communication efforts ensured widespread awareness, resulting in a high turnout of patients.
The medical camp left a lasting impact on the community by providing essential medical services and fostering appreciation for healthcare initiatives. The collaboration between organizations highlighted the importance of addressing healthcare disparities in underserved regions.
As we look into the future, we will continue supporting such initiatives as the need for more comprehensive services and improved systems is clear. Such initiatives have the potential to transform lives and create lasting change in communities in need.
