Kenyan troops carried out free medical checks for residents of
Busaar town in Somalia on Wednesday.
The soldiers in the Amisom peacekeeping mission attended to the children, pregnant women and the elderly.
The beneficiaries are among people most affected by a ban by terror group al Shabaab, against haram medical care.
KDF soldiers in the African Union Mission in Somalia offer free medical checks to residents of Busaar town, April 18, 2018. /COURTESY
Sheikh Mustafa Haji, who spoke on behalf of the residents, said they were grateful and will continue supporting the troops.
Mustafa lost his pregnant second wife after the militants prohibited him from going to a clinic set up by the soldiers.
“The traditional midwife sent for me after it had taken a while for the baby to [be delivered]. When I put my wife on a cart to rush her to the clinic, a group of armed militants beat me up. That’s how I lost my wife and child,” he said.
Al Shabaab doesn't want the people to receive treatment from
the military and international groups.
Families have also suffered due to drought and the heavy rains that followed, leading to risky living conditions.
KDF soldiers in the African Union Mission in Somalia offer free medical checks to residents of Busaar town, April 18, 2018. /COURTESY
KDF soldiers in the African Union Mission in Somalia offer free medical checks to residents of Busaar town, April 18, 2018. /COURTESY
The medical camp came after the African Union Mission in Somalia hailed its close working relationship with locals who have information on potential attacks.
Area residents say the military forces are welcome as they are tired of the militia outfit’s threats that have disrupted their lives.
The Kenya Defence Forces will conduct similar exercises across South Somalia.