Hundreds of residents in Bungoma County have benefited from free medical services in a healthcare outreach aimed at easing the cost of treatment for vulnerable households.

The medical camp, held at Nalondo Primary School, was organised through a partnership between the county government and the M-PESA Foundation.

Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who attended the exercise alongside Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany, said partnerships with private institutions and development agencies were critical to expanding access to affordable healthcare.

Lusaka said the county government was committed to improving health infrastructure and strengthening service delivery but acknowledged that the demand for medical services required additional support.

“Healthcare is a fundamental need, and our responsibility as a government is to ensure that every resident can access quality and affordable medical services,” he said.

He added that partnerships such as the one with the M-PESA Foundation would complement government efforts by bringing additional resources and specialised services closer to communities.

The governor said medical camps also provided opportunities for early detection of illnesses, timely treatment and public education on preventive healthcare, particularly for residents unable to afford routine medical consultations.

Mbatiany commended the foundation for supporting the county’s healthcare agenda, saying community-based medical outreaches helped reach families facing financial and geographical barriers to accessing health facilities.

Dorothy Koech, the M-PESA Foundation’s head of health, said the partnership was part of efforts to improve access to healthcare and promote the well-being of communities.

Koech said collaboration with county governments was essential in reaching more people with essential medical services, especially those facing financial constraints.

“Through partnerships such as this, we seek to complement government efforts to bring essential healthcare services closer to the people,” she said.

By Chris Mahandara