Kwale county has received donations worth more than Sh400,000 from a Kuwaiti government-funded organisation.
The donations include free medical services and the distribution of relief food for the vulnerable communities.
At least 350 families have so far benefited from the food donations.
The medical supplies comprise drugs and pharmaceutical items like painkillers, antibiotics, bandages, syringes and needles, among others.
They are to be distributed in various county public hospitals and to benefit more than 1,000 families.
The Alietisam Foundation public relations and communication officer Hussein Mwange said the donations are part of the efforts to assist the Kenyan government respond to effectively to disasters.
It will also help the government in improving health services and hygiene in drought hard-hit areas.
"We are acting as per the President's [Uhuru Kenyatta] request that NGOs to chip in and assist residents in drought-prone areas of the country," he said.
Mwange said they intend to provide necessary development aid and alleviate hunger for the affected individuals and build resilience.
The government declared drought a national disaster in September 2021 in 23 arid and semi-arid counties.
Kwale is among the affected regions whose more than 300,000 residents are at risk of facing acute starvation as drought continues.
On Monday, President Kenyatta flagged off a consignment of emergency relief supplies to the affected counties as a way of cushioning the population.
At least 2.3 million people are set to benefit from the programme.
Earlier, the government had disbursed Sh2 billion to respond to drought and assist the hard-hit Kenyans through the livestock off-take programme, relief food distribution and water trucking.
Mwange said they have also embarked on giving free medical camp checkups and treatment services to improve the health of the vulnerable communities.
Some of the affected residents in Kinango and Lunga-Lunga subcounties survive on polluted water which affects their general hygiene and health due to water scarcity.
According to Mwange, the residents are currently receiving free eye, cancer, pregnancy, menstrual hygiene and nutrition treatments.
Mwange spoke on Tuesday at Kwale health headquarters in Matuga while handing over the donations of the medical supplies to the county.
The ceremony was graced by Health executive Francis Gwama and Health Services chief officer Juma Salim Mbete.
Mbete said a total of 636 patients served in the free medical camps are getting better.
Majority were suffering from eye and cancer problems.
He said at least 40 hernia and prostate cancer surgeries have been conducted successfully while 50 others received free eye surgeries.
The surgeries were done in two days in partnership with Kwale medical practitioners.
The free medical camp services are set to end on Friday.
Gwama thanked the NGO for their support, saying the donations are a major boost to the county health sector.
"We are grateful because we will use this and what we already had to enhance health service delivery," he said.
He lauded the partnership, adding that it is beneficial and sustainable.
Gwama said the county will ensure that friendship is maintained and improved for more future benefits.
The executive also called on more partners to work with the county and offer support for the benefit of the ordinary citizens.
Gwama further said that health services have resumed following the end of the doctors' strike.
He asked residents to seek medical services in all health public facilities.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
