Hundreds of Saku Subcounty residents benefitted from a free medical camp on Saturday held at Madrasatul Taqwa.
More than 800 patients benefit from vital checkups, General consultation, maternal and child health, comprehensive health education, reproductive health and family planning education as well as nutritional counselling.
Speaking during the exercise, Northern Frontier Medical Association executive director Noor Sheikh said the initiative was part of the organisation's way of giving back to society.
Noor said most of the patients who were treated suffered from non-communicable diseases which have not been treated for a long time, among them high blood pressure and diabetes.
"We realised the biggest medical issues facing these areas are diabetes and hypertension," said Noor.
He noted that those suffering from general illnesses were treated while those that needed further treatment were referred to Marsabit Level 5 hospital.
Noor urged the community to consider seeking treatment when they fall ill saying some of the diseases can easily be cured if timely treatment is sought.
"There are many incurable diseases that are killing people as a result of lack of proper medical check-ups. With this exercise, the beneficiaries will be able to understand how vital checkups are key to living a good life," he said.
He said they aim at sensitizing the residents on disease prevention and making services accessible to them.
"Having realised that majority of the residents could not afford proper medical treatment, the organisation chose to do free medical camp to ensure that we have a healthy and productive community," Noor said
Chairman of Northern Frontier Medical Association Abdullahi Issack Aliow underscored the role the association plays in helping the less privileged members of the society to get quality healthcare in the upper Eastern region.
He said the association spent millions of money after every three months to conduct free medical camps.
"Hundreds of residents of Saku subcounty benefitted from free medical. Most of the diseases we treated here are common ailments. The communities have been unable to seek medical attention due to high poverty levels," said Alliow.
A team of doctors, health officers and community health workers were all volunteering their time and knowledge to provide medical care to hundreds of people.
"Our experience at the medical camp was humbling and inspiring. It was a reminder of the importance of access to medical care and the impact we have in improving people's lives," Alliow said.
The medical camp was organized by Northern Frontier Medical Association ( NOFMA) in partnership with the Marsabit county government, Hass Petroleum and Gulf African Bank.
Health specialist Amina Boru encouraged people to have frequent screening so that diseases such as high blood pressure are detected early before they interfere with other body organisms.
She urged residents to observe healthy eating to avoid prevalent lifestyle diseases.
Amina said their team consist of a surgeon, physicians, medical doctors and volunteers who are able to help people suffering from different ailments.
She added that it is important to come and offer help to people in the county who have problems and do not have the ability to access health care.
"One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was seeing the impact we were having on people's lives. We saw a lot of people with preventable illnesses and it was clear the medical camp was making a significant difference in their lives," said Amina.
Some of the community members who benefited from the free medical camp lauded the initiative.
Led by community elder Said Jillo, the residents said they have a challenge getting proper medical care due to financial constraints and a lack of essential drugs in the local medical facilities.
Omar urged other organizations to carry out such exercises on a monthly basis.
"We really thank the NOFMA and urge other organizations with similar hearts like them to come in and help our people," he said
According to speaker Saku Youth forum Abdiaziz Boru, the medical camp was a big relief to hundreds of residents.
Dhakhe Lolo expressed her gratitude for the free medical services saying it has been of big importance, particularly to the underprivileged.