US Volunteer Medical Team Treats Thousands in Free Medical Camp in Kisii
The camp, which concluded on Saturday, brought relief to patients who have for years lived with painful orthopedic conditions without access to specialized treatment due to high costs.
Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke and health officials tour patients receiving treatment at Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital during the medical camp.
By Monica Nashon
Thousands of residents of Kisii and neighbouring counties have benefited from a week-long free medical camp organized through a partnership between the government, the Mairura Foundation, Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital and a team of volunteer health workers from the United States.
The camp, which concluded on Saturday, brought relief to patients who have for years lived with painful orthopedic conditions without access to specialized treatment due to high costs.
Speaking during the closing ceremony at Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunication Stephen Isaboke said the US medical team, made up of 21 professionals including orthopedic surgeons, nurses and support staff, had travelled to Kisii to offer free treatment and surgeries.
Isaboke said the programme has been running annually since 2023 and continues to grow in reach and impact.
“Initially, the team worked only at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, but this year they expanded the services to include Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital so that more people could benefit,” said Isaboke.
He commended the team for their dedication and sacrifice, noting that many of the beneficiaries could not afford specialised care. He also urged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), revealing that about 465,000 people in Kisii County have already enrolled.
Orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Mairura Foundation, Dr. Edward Mairura, said this was the third orthopedic medical camp to be held in Kisii County under the initiative.
He said the team screened about 2,000 patients, while nearly 400 people received specialised orthopedic care for hip, knee, foot, ankle and hand conditions. The doctors also carried out several major surgeries, including total knee replacements and complex hand reconstructions.
“There are still many patients we have not been able to treat, and we hope to return again. The need is huge,” said Dr. Mairura.
Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital Chief Executive Officer Duncan Mosioma thanked the Mairura Foundation for partnering with the hospital to provide healthcare to underserved communities.
Mosioma said the medical camp served patients drawn from Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Homa Bay and Narok counties, with many arriving as early as 5 a.m. to secure a chance for treatment.
He also thanked the national government for supporting the exercise and making it successful through logistical and medical support.
South Kenya Conference Executive Secretary Pastor Job Obara said the Seventh-day Adventist Church appreciates the partnership that made the medical camp possible. He thanked the government and the Mairura Foundation for sacrificing their time and resources to improve the health of residents and called for more partnerships to increase access to healthcare in rural areas.
One of the beneficiaries, Thomas Moracha from Bomachoge Chache, said he had lived with a painful hand and ankle injury since a boda boda accident in 2013.
He said he missed last year’s medical camp due to late information but arrived early on Monday this year and was among those who received treatment.
“I had been living with this condition for many years. The treatment was painful, but now I feel relieved. I thank the doctors for coming all the way from America to help us,” he said.
The organizers said they plan to hold another camp next year to clear the backlog of patients still waiting for surgery.
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