Free medical care in Narok changes lives

At a time when the cost of healthcare is soaring, many people would find it hard to imagine that a private health facility can offer free medical services.

Yet that is exactly what is happening at the Kakenya Health and Wellness Centre in Isampin village, Trans Mara West subcounty, Narok county, where vulnerable members of the community are receiving treatment free of charge.

At the facility, all children and young people aged 25 years and below receive free treatment, while senior citizens aged 60 years and above are also treated at no cost.

The health centre, which has gained immense popularity among residents because of its subsidised services, was officially opened on July 12, 2024 by Kakenya’s Dream, a humanitarian NGO founded in 2009 by Dr Kakenya Ntaiya.

The facility was established to ensure that students sponsored by Kakenya’s Dream, as well as members of the surrounding community, could access affordable and quality healthcare.

Since opening its doors, the health facility has been attending to at least 2,000 patients a month.

“Young people aged between zero and 25 years receive free treatment at our facility, while people aged 60 years and above are also treated free of charge,” clinical officer Martha Nega, who is attached to the centre, said.

She attributed the large number of patients visiting the facility to the rising cost of healthcare and the quality of services offered.

“With the current harsh economic conditions, many people are attracted by the free services,” Nega said.

“But beyond that, we also provide quality treatment and ensure our patients are satisfied by handling them in a friendly way.”

She added that patients suffering from non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, also receive free treatment regardless of age.

“In the past, many local patients struggling with these conditions could not afford medication, which is often very expensive,” Nega said.

“Some would even default on treatment for more than two months because they lacked money to buy the drugs.”

According to her, the free non-communicable diseases drugs programme was introduced out of compassion for vulnerable members of the community, particularly children, elderly people and patients battling chronic illnesses.

“One qualifies for free treatment after registering at our facility. Once that is done, they can access treatment regardless of whether they come from within the locality or outside,” she said.

Apart from treating common illnesses, the facility also provides care and counselling services for girls rescued from early marriages, rape and gender-based violence.

“We handle cases involving girls fleeing FGM. Some survivors of sexual abuse come here for treatment and counselling because they feel safe and supported at the facility,” Nega added.

A beneficiary of the free medical services, Lengetu Ole Sopia, 60, said the establishment of the health centre has been a major relief to the community, especially students at the Kakenya Centres for Excellence.

“The girls no longer have to travel long distances in search of treatment whenever they fall sick. The facility is within easy reach and has improved their safety,” he said.

Ole Sopia added that he personally benefits from the free treatment because he is above 60 years old and lives in Isampin village.

“The establishment of this health centre has greatly helped many struggling families in the community, including my own, to get treatment at reach,” he said.

Another resident, Karimaticho Kosencha, 68, said she sought treatment at the facility shortly after it was opened and was diagnosed with a mental health condition.

“I followed the treatment plan and counselling sessions recommended by the medics, and I eventually recovered. The medical officers treated me with kindness and respect,” she said.

Kosencha recalled that before the facility was established, sick residents had to travel long distances on motorcycles to seek treatment, which was expensive for many families.

“Those who could not afford transport costs simply suffered in silence,” she added.

Counselling psychologist Joy Naserian, who works in the centre’s mental health department, said she handles numerous mental health cases involving both students and members of the community.

Part of her responsibility is to monitor the mental well-being of learners at the two Kakenya Centres for Excellence, including students who have progressed to colleges and universities under the sponsorship of Kakenya’s Dream.

“We provide psychosocial support because a child who is not mentally stable cannot concentrate in class or perform well academically. When learners are mentally healthy, they become more productive,” she said.

Naserian added that she also offers psychological interventions, psychoeducation and counselling services to adult patients with mental health challenges.

“In severe cases, I refer patients for psychiatric review,” she said.

Registered nurse Phoebe Kakenya said the facility provides outpatient services for common diseases, maternal and child healthcare, as well as mental health services.

“At the outpatient department, we attend to at least 2,000 patients every month for common ailments. We also offer maternal and child health services, including immunisation, antenatal care and family planning,” she said.