Sunday I had the privilege to go with some of the medical and nursing students to a medical camp in Nandi Hills. An elder at the local 7th Day Adventist church described the area as having been inhabited by the Nandi peoples, who were fierce warriors and hunters. This lush area at the edge of the Rift Valley is now occupied by the Kalenjin, and covered in vast, green tea plantations.
The medical camp was extraordinarily well organized. There was health education given by public health students on hygeine, clean water sources, nutrition, etc.
Kids were de-wormed, then taught about teeth-brushing and keeping sugarcane consumption to a minimum (we saw several children with mouths full of caries).
People seemed to come from decent distances, all walking, to be seen by physicians, and prescribed free medicine.
Then later, after being cured of whatever ill, people stayed to socialize.
And the children played.
There was a sizable pharmacy, with most of the basics covered.
Many women came, children in tow, always asking for their children's problems to be heard first, then addressing their own health. I met a woman who was 22, with 6 children already. She spoke to the male medical officer, then pulled me aside and asked about contraception. She said she had been getting family planning shots (or Depo Provera) without telling her husband because he would be against the idea. Unfortunately, she had uncertain dating of the shots, and was likely pregnant again.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and great to get to know some of the students a little better. Here's the group mug.
- Anne
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