Saturday, 14th September 2013 is a day that will indelibly be printed in the minds of many who attended the FOSP medical camp. On this particular day, the St Paul’s premises were filled to capacity. People of all walks of life thronged in and out of the St Paul’s chapel gates like nuns in a convent. Their goal was one; good health.
If you doubted whether people value their health, then you should have been here to clear such doubts. Patients, volunteers, medics, news reporters, musicians from the band filled the chapel to the brim. In fact, the compound was so tightly packed that if you threw a pinch of salt in the air, it would not find its way back to the ground!
What amazed me most was how the entire medical camp crew worked. Everything went fast and furious; at full swing. All was meticulously coordinated. Although there were registration officers, IT team, ushers, medics, reporters, musicians and other stakeholders, no two things went at loggerheads! Everything went seamlessly without any turbulence. Indeed, the entire event was like a milling machine. Though a milling machine has many cogs, innumerable wheels and several gears, all parts work miraculously perfectly with no two parts ever coming into conflict.
The digitalized registration
Fr. Hunja ignited the milling machine at about 9.00 am and everything went underway. Once a patient arrived, they would be cordially ushered into the camp by the University of Nairobi students. They would then be directed to the registration desk.
Digitalization, a term that is taking root in the technological world was applied in patient registration. Patient details were typed in Google virtual forms. This would ensure that a good database was maintained. The technological nitty gritty was done by the very able and techno-savvy IT team who were tastefully donned in Google tags. All this efficient digitalization was proudly sponsored by Google.
Basic tests
After registration, patients queued for basic tests such as BMI, BP, waist circumference, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This was ably done by the Lea Toto Program and Resolution Insurance. The University of Nairobi health students were also not left behind. They applied what they learnt in class into the real world. They were also a source of knowledge and did not tire from explaining what each test was for. Did you for example know that your left hand is the one closest to your heart? I personally would not have known this until a student in the BP station told me. This is the reason why they take blood pressure readings from your left hand rather than your right.
It was also at the BP station that I met a man in total denial of his blood pressure readings. On being told that he had high BP, he refused to take this lying down. He took numerous tests from different medics but lo! The results were all the same. The man had high BP!
Training on alcohol and nutrition
SAPTA, an NGO that trains on how one can quit drugging was present. They used engaging visual pictures to teach how one can successfully stop abusing drugs by accepting that they have a problem and asking friends to help.
Nutrition and diet were topics that were extensively covered during the camp. The nutritionists present claimed that most of the diseases affecting people today are as a result of bad nutrition.
Detailed training in the lecture hall
As the medical camp progressed, the lecture halls were laden with nutritionists and medics who were over-eager to disseminate information. They trained on good cooking methods, cancer, physical exercise and diabetes.
The medics were quick to point out that people should be wary of diabetes and cancer. Research shows that Kenya alone has about 1.3 million people living with diabetes. The most worrying fact about diabetes is that its prevalence is increasing at the rate of 3.5% compared to previous years. If this trend continues, 3.9 million people will be diabetic by 2025.
Cancer on the other hand was said to cause a large number of deaths in the country. In ten years time, cancer could be the cause of the largest number of deaths in Kenya. Some of the most common cancers among females were said to be breast and cervical cancer. Men on the other hand are likely to suffer from prostrate and oesophagus cancer.
Humor galore
The lectures were also an eye opener to some humorous facts. Did you know for example that oesophagus cancer is most common in Kericho, Bomet and Karatina? The three areas are tea growing zones. During the cold season, the inhabitants are likely to take extremely hot tea to keep the cold draughts at bay. The hot tea could accelerate their rate of contracting oesophagus cancer!
Another humorous fact was on lung cancer. Today, lung cancer is becoming more common. A few years ago, with a low salary, a cigarette smoker would not dream of smoking a full cigarette at a go. They would smoke a portion, put it off and keep the remnant for a rainy day. Today however, one can afford to puff a whole cigarette in one sitting. This means that more harmful smoke is finding its way into the lungs.
Sumptuous catering
At times, the milling machine had to have its fuel refilled for maximized efficiency. This was ably done by the catering team that served delicious delicacies that kept the milling machine lively and active throughout the day.
KCC milk and Manji biscuits also kept the medical camp crew rejuvenated and strong .
Personal sentiments
Patient
Mr. Stephen Wanjala, a 58 year old mzee, is a beneficiary of the St Paul’s medical camp for the past three years. On the 14th, he had an eye problem that was adeptly tacked by the Lions eye specialists. Speaking about the camp, he said that he was elated and could not find the right words to appreciate the organizers. He commented that the services were of high quality while the doctors were tactful and very professional.
Professional doctor
Dr. Mutuma, representing the professional medics said that the camp was a great success and lived to its theme of healing by faith. There was proper coordination and team work. The number of patients was however wanting-555 patients is too small a number compared to last year’s enormous turn up of over 800 patients. He felt that adequate outreach of patients had not been done. His word of advice to FOSP was that it would be prudent to target people from the slums in the next medical camp. This could be done by creating awareness of the camp through the mass media.
Medical student
Speaking on behalf of the many medical students present, John Ochieng noted that the day was busy but a great success. There was a marked improvement comparing with last year’s medical camp in terms of the laboratory facilities.
John noted that men were reluctant to avail themselves for prostate cancer screening. He attributed this to fear but added that men should not shy away from the screening. If anything, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and is fatal if not detected early!
Volunteering student
One of the volunteering students who tirelessly gave assistance wherever needed noted the day was great. He observed that the patients were happy and liked the quality healthcare they got. Entertainment from the music band, he noted, played a great role in gluing patients to their seats as they waited to be treated.
Master of ceremony
Standing and speaking in front of people, Barry Achami let nothing miss his watchful eye. He was exhilarated by the meticulous coordination of the camp. He commended FOSP for organizing such a tremendous camp and wished that the camp could be organized twice or thrice a year.
FOSP member
On behalf of the event organizers, Regina Ndeto, the FOSP medical camp students’ coordinator, said that the camp was wonderful. Everyone worked engrossingly liked oiled pistons sweating all day to see that the patients were well treated.
She however noted that FOSP should work on reaching out to other parishes so as to have a good turn-out of patients in coming years.
Regina profusely thanked all the stakeholders who made the day a success. She particularly voiced out her heartfelt gratitude to Manji biscuits, KCC milk, Lions Eye, Eagle eye, Resolution Insurance, Lea Toto, SAPTA and the entire St Paul’s fraternity for a job well done.
Report prepared by Tabitha Kimani and James Njenga
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