Over 1,000 Women Receive Free Specialised Medical Checkups at Mbagathi Hospital: A Vital Initiative for Women’s Health

More than 1,000 women in Nairobi are currently receiving free specialised medical checkups at Mbagathi Hospital. The four-day medical camp, which began on Thursday, September 26, is a collaborative effort by the Rotary Club of Lavington and Decker Med Africa Trust, designed to provide vital health services and screenings focusing on women’s health, particularly breast and cervical cancer. The initiative is a significant step in addressing healthcare disparities, especially for underserved women in Nairobi.

A Targeted Approach to Women’s Health

The initiative goes beyond typical medical services. It targets women’s health issues, which often go unaddressed in many communities, due to financial and logistical barriers. The camp offers screenings for cervical and breast cancer, two of the most common cancers affecting women globally, along with general health consultations, eye care services, and counselling.

Cancer screening, in particular, plays a critical role in early detection and prevention, with cervical cancer being a significant health concern in Kenya. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country, with thousands of new cases diagnosed annually. Many of these cases are caught too late, primarily due to a lack of access to screening services.

Breast cancer, another leading cause of death among Kenyan women, is similarly challenging to address in underserved populations. The initiative is designed to help bridge this gap by making life-saving screening services accessible to women who might otherwise lack the resources to pursue them.

Removing Barriers to Healthcare Access

The President of the Rotary Club of Lavington, Wambui Karanja, underscored the importance of the initiative in tackling the barriers that many women face when trying to access healthcare.

“The response has been incredible. Many women who would typically not have access to such services came forward, underscoring the need for these health screenings in the community,” she said.

Healthcare services in Kenya, like in many developing nations, remain largely inaccessible for low-income populations. Many women, particularly in informal settlements such as Kibera, face significant challenges in accessing even the most basic healthcare services due to high costs, long distances to hospitals, and a lack of awareness regarding preventive healthcare measures.

For these women, initiatives like the Mbagathi medical camp are a lifeline. The camp not only offers free medical services but also raises awareness of the importance of regular screenings and preventive care.

The Role of Partnerships in Health Initiatives

The success of the medical camp is a testament to the power of partnerships. The Rotary Club of Lavington and Decker Med Africa Trust worked closely with various stakeholders to ensure the initiative could have a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.

Director of Development at Decker Med Africa Trust, Esther Baraga, acknowledged that the success of the medical camp was due to a collaborative effort between the organisations involved.

“This would not have been possible without the partnership of Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi City County, and the Ministry of Health. EssilorLuxottica, which provided free prescription eyewear, addressing ophthalmic conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and conjunctivitis,” Baraga said.

These partnerships demonstrate the potential for greater impact when multiple organisations work together toward a common goal. The involvement of both public and private sector entities, including Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi City County, and the Ministry of Health, helped ensure that the medical camp had the resources and infrastructure it needed to operate effectively.

In addition, other organisations played key roles in supporting the initiative. Mr and Miss World Kenya helped raise awareness for the camp, Kakuzi Limited and Lab and Allied donated essential medication, and community-focused organisations such as SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), Milele FM, and Green Card Mtaani helped mobilise the local population, ensuring that the women who needed these services were aware of the camp and could access it.

Addressing the Long-Term Needs of Women

The medical camp is part of a larger initiative by the Rotary Club of Lavington called the “Dignity Project,” which aims to improve the health and well-being of women, particularly those living in the informal settlements of Kibera. In addition to providing healthcare services, the project seeks to introduce mentorship programmes that empower women with the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their health.

“Our goal goes beyond offering immediate medical care. We aim to raise awareness about women’s health, empower them with the knowledge to take control of their well-being, and provide them with the resources for prevention and treatment,” said Njoki Kariuki, Project Director and President Nominee of the Rotary Club of Lavington.

A key aspect of the initiative is the establishment of a centre to produce reusable sanitary products. Access to sanitary products remains a significant challenge for many women in Kenya, particularly those living in informal settlements. This can have long-term consequences on women’s health, as well as their participation in education and employment.

The production of reusable sanitary products addresses both an immediate and a long-term need. Not only does it provide women with an affordable and sustainable solution to menstrual hygiene management, but it also offers an opportunity for economic empowerment, as the production of these products could potentially create jobs for women in the community.

The Importance of Raising Awareness

In addition to providing immediate medical services, the camp also aims to raise awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare. For many women, especially those in underserved communities, healthcare is often reactive rather than proactive, meaning that they only seek medical help when they are already sick. This can be particularly dangerous when it comes to conditions like cancer, where early detection can mean the difference between life and death.

By offering free screenings and consultations, the Mbagathi medical camp is helping to shift this mindset, encouraging women to take control of their health and seek out preventive care before they experience symptoms.

“Our goal is to empower women with the knowledge to take control of their well-being,” Kariuki said. “We want them to understand that preventive care is just as important as treatment, and that early detection can save lives.”

Expanding the Reach of the Initiative

As the camp continues to provide services to women in Nairobi, there is a growing call for similar initiatives to be expanded to other parts of the country. Baraga urged for increased support and engagement from stakeholders to ensure that more women could benefit from similar initiatives.

“As we strive for universal health coverage, we encourage more counties to partner with us. We also appeal to stakeholders for financial or in-kind support to amplify our impact,” Baraga said.

The Rotary Club of Lavington and Decker Med Africa Trust hope that the success of the Mbagathi medical camp will inspire other counties and organisations to collaborate in similar ways, expanding the reach of these vital healthcare services to more women across Kenya.

Conclusion

The Mbagathi medical camp is a shining example of how targeted initiatives can make a profound difference in the lives of underserved populations. By offering free specialised medical checkups, the Rotary Club of Lavington and Decker Med Africa Trust are not only addressing the immediate health needs of over 1,000 women but also raising awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare.

With a focus on long-term solutions, such as mentorship programmes and the production of reusable sanitary products, the initiative is helping to build a healthier and more empowered community. As Kenya continues to work toward universal health coverage, initiatives like this one offer a model for how partnerships and community-focused efforts can help bridge the gaps in access to healthcare.

The impact of the Mbagathi medical camp will be felt for years to come, not just in the lives of the women who received care, but in the community as a whole, as more women are empowered to take control of their health and well-being.