More than 500 residents of Turbo Sub-County received free medical attention over the weekend when the Uasin Gishu County Government offered a comprehensive outreach at Sugoi B Dispensary, underscoring a growing push to take essential services closer to people in rural communities.

The medical camp, spearheaded by County Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services Dr. Billy Lubanga, featured general consultations, chronic disease management, gynecological and obstetric care, cervical and breast cancer screening, family planning services and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.

Partners included the Ministry of Health’s Division of Reproductive Health, the Chronic Disease Society and Phillips Pharmaceuticals.

Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA) at the site, Dr. Lubanga stressed the need to decentralize care so that distance and cost no longer stand between residents and timely treatment.

“Quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or background. Through these medical camps, we are taking services closer to our communities, promoting early diagnosis, prevention and timely treatment of various health conditions,” he explained.

Dr. Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the value of joint efforts between national and county governments.

He called for continuous public education, regular screening and easier access to reproductive health information, noting that community outreaches remain one of the most effective ways to reach people who might otherwise delay seeking care.

Turbo Sub-County Coordinator Wilson Tuwei and members of the Sub-County Health Management Team were also present, coordinating logistics and ensuring smooth patient flow throughout the day.

It is worth noting that in many parts of Uasin Gishu, especially the more remote wards of Turbo and other sub-counties, residents still travel long distances to the nearest well-equipped facilities.

Transport costs, lost wages and the sheer inconvenience often lead people to postpone check-ups until conditions become serious.

Tuwei lauded County-organised medical camps, saying they directly address these barriers by bringing multi-disciplinary teams, diagnostic tools and medicines to local dispensaries and community grounds.

“These outreaches enable early detection of chronic illnesses and cancers, improve uptake of family planning and reproductive health services and accelerate registration for the Social Health Authority, which form critical steps towards universal health coverage,” noted the Sub County Administrator.

By working with the Ministry of Health and private partners, the county multiplies limited resources and builds trust in the formal health system.

For rural households, a single well-run camp can mean the difference between delayed diagnosis and timely, affordable care delivered close to home.

By Maurice Aluda