Residents of Kikopey area and neighborhood were on Saturday May 24, 2025 treated to a free medical camp courtesy of Rotary Club of Hurlingham, Nairobi.
The club in partnership with Bloom Hospital offered services to the residents who turned out in large numbers at Kikopey Dispensary at the heart of Kikopey centre in Gilgil Subcounty of Nakuru county.
Speaking during the event, Rotary Club of Hurlingham President Albashir Ahmed revealed that this is part of the Club’s continued Community Service Responsibility.
He added that the engagement of the Club with the Community was in 2005.
While noting that the general catchment of the area is 30,000 persons, he stated that the Free Medical Camp has continued to reach out to many.
According to him, the Rotary Club of Hurlingham is looking forward towards partnering with County Government of Nakuru to establish a Laboratory at the facility.
This will enhance service delivery to the locals and ensure the upscaling of the facility from Dispensary to the next level.
“This Free Medical Camp is away of sensitization to public to understand about some of the diseases and how to deal with them,” he stated.
Rotarian Saum Siraj pointed out that eye and skin complications as well as diabetes, and nutritional issues, mental awareness and TB are prevalence in the area.
She was however quick to note that with great partnership with other stakeholders, then such cases will be addressed.
Sentiments echoed by Samuel Kimani who is the team lead Gilgil Subcounty and Ministry of Health Officer.
In an interview, he was categorical that Kikopey is growing in population and a times the Kikopey Dispensary is overwhelmed.
He lauded Rotary Club of Hurlingham for stepping in with free medical camps at the facility.
The officer expressed desire that the facility be elevated to Level 3 towards expansion of the services.
“We have plans to expand and we hope that we shall be elevated to Level 3 so that we can expand our services and address numerous challenges facing our people here,” he stated.
The officer also lauded the program for including sensitization of the public in various health conditions and how to approach them.
According to him, issues of Social Health Insurance and Social Health Authority also came up during the event.
He noted that many Kenyans had no clear information about SHA hence encouraged the government to continue with sensitization towards enrollment.
“We realized many Kenyans at grassroot level do not even understand about SHA and how it works, so such forums help a lot to creat awareness. We need to focus more on education,” he stated.
Partners from Bloom Hospital led by Bernard Musera reiterated the need for Kenyans to take care of their Ear, Nose and Throat to avert ENT cases.
According to him, knowledge is key in understanding about the same.
He pointed out that ENT cases in children are due to bacteria which can be addressed through antibiotics.
Some of the beneficiaries of the Rotary Club of Hurlingham Free Medical Camp at Kikopey Dispensary lauded the well-wishers for the gesture.
Led by Lucy Gatimu form Kikopey community stated that she had complications with her feet, back and eyes.
She was however quick to note that she was taken through examination, give drugs and advised on way forward as far as checkups are concerned.
Joyce Nyambura from Diatomite in Gilgil also benefited from the medical camp.
She termed it a saviour to the locals who have to walk distance in such of medication.
“I can feel the impact of this medical camp because a times we come here and find ni drugs but atleast through this we are able to get drugs for free,” she said.
Peter Gichuki from Ebenezer area in Kikopey village on his part called for such programs to be done on frequent basis.
This, he said will help reach more residents who are suffering at grassroot level.
“The harsh economic times is real and that why the citizens turn out in large numbers during this free medical camps. The government should work and ensure people at grassroot are reached with services,” he said.