SOUTH ALEGO: Hundreds of South Alego residents gathered at Ting’wang’i health centre to receive free medical care provided by an American non-governmental organization in collaboration with the office of Alego/Usonga MP, Samuel Atandi. The initiative comes at a crucial time for many residents who are struggling with the financial burden of medical expenses due to ongoing changes in the national health insurance system.

According to Kenya News Agency, the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Insurance Fund has led to confusion and left many individuals unable to afford necessary medical care as hospitals demand cash payments. In response, the Mercy and Love Foundation set up a medical camp offering services for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and eye and dental care.

Dr. Mercy Otieno, the director of Mercy and Love Foundation, stated that the organization’s mission is to advocate for access to quality healthcare for the less fortunate. Their current focus
is the Nyanza region, chosen due to its poor health outcomes, with plans to expand their efforts across the country and the African continent in the future.

Dr. Barry Bekhan, a member of the medical team, highlighted that such medical camps serve as opportunities to share knowledge with medical students and provide quality healthcare to those who cannot afford it. The team also donated medicine and medical kits to the health facility.

Local residents, including Ting’wang’i health centre chairman Charles Ndolo and former councillor Eric Awadhi, expressed their gratitude to the NGO and the office of MP Samuel Atandi for organizing the medical camp. Awadhi, who benefitted from the dental and eye clinics, received a pair of glasses and had his dental issues addressed.