A community member has her blood sample taken by a doctor at Magadi Hospital to determine her ailment. [Courtesy]
The semi-nomadic residents of Magadi in the expansive Kajiado County are increasingly embracing medical services, including mobile clinics, helping cut down on fatalities.
Officials of Magadi Hospital, a level-four medical facility, say it is witnessing increased admissions from the local community after it rolled out outreach services.
Originally established to serve company staff, the hospital now also extends services to the broader community with a mobile clinic that reaches individuals residing within an 80-kilometre radius of the facility. The expansive, but sparsely populated area, covers about 30,000 people.
The mobile clinics not only handle emergencies but also treat HIV/AIDS and minor ailments as well as provide examinations for expectant mothers, immunisations and health education talks tailored to the largely nomadic community.
Dr Raymond Bahati Birya, the senior medical officer at Magadi Hospital, said the facility charges subsidised rates similar to those in public hospitals due to the low-income levels of the residents.
"When individuals arrive in critical or emergency situations, especially those in need of urgent surgical operations, we prioritise their care without insisting on immediate payment. Their well-being and health take precedence, and we provide the necessary treatment without delay," Birya told The Standard.
"We have established a partnership with community leaders who assist us in assessing the patient's financial situation and determining the best course of action. We work closely with them to follow up on the status of these patients and understand their financial limitations. We understand that some patients are in such dire circumstances that they cannot even afford a goat, for example."
The collaborative approach with community leaders, Dr Birya adds, enables the hospital's management to make informed decisions and "provide compassionate care to those in need".
The hospital's supplies are primarily sourced from Tata Chemicals Magadi, with additional support from the government, which provides free drugs.
"As hospital bills continue to rise and burden our people, the company plays a crucial role in alleviating this financial pressure," said Daniel Nchui, the chair of Oldoinyo Onyokie community. "By stepping in and covering these medical expenses, they ensure that our people do not have to worry about hospital bills, easing the financial strain on families."
