Doctors during a past event. [photo/allafrica.com]Here are a number of centers one can get medical attention for free.
Post-gender violence recovery
Nairobi Women’s Hospital offers free health services to victims of gender violence. The center’s main purpose is to bring back meaning to survivors’ lives and their families. The hospital does this through the provision of free medical treatment and psychosocial support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Freedom from fistula
Only 43.8 percent of Kenyan births are attended by skilled personnel. A number of women from the majority who deliver at home suffer fistula. Free surgery offered by charity groups like Freedom from Fistula and Fistula Foundation has lifted successfully treated thousands of women. Centres for free surgery can be found in Nairobi, Kitale, Mumias, Kisumu, Daadab, Eldoret, Kisii, Mombasa, Samburu, and Isiolo. Kenyatta National Hospital and St Mary’s Mission Hospital in Nairobi also house the National Training Centre for Fistula help keep the wrinkles at bay.
Free maternal services
Eradication of delivery fees in public health facilities is amongst the promises the government has honored. Despite challenges with county and national government in the delivery of the programme, thus far, many mothers have been served by the initiative.
HIV Testing and Counselling
HIV/AIDS counseling provided at Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) sites is free and confidential and provided by specially trained personnel. People receive face-to-face counseling before they get tested.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Survivor Camps
Civil society organizations and the government are working to eliminate gender-based violence including FGM and forced marriage. Several rescue centers have been established in high-risk areas including Soila Maasai Girls (Suswa), Tareto Maa (Transmara) and Tasaru Refuge (Narok).
Tuberculosis treatment
Kenya is ranked fourth on the list of high burden TB Countries. The Ministry of Health, through a campaign dubbed MulikaTB, has implemented the provision of free TB treatment services in about 4,500 health facilities and 1,800 testing sites countrywide.
Shah Eye and ENT camps and free eye tests
The Shah Free Eye and ENT Camp have run for the past 34 years with the doctors working in mobile clinics all over the country where screening is done and surgeries referred to Thika Level 5 Hospital. Collaborating with the local doctors and nurses, the Vision Beyond Borders an International Volunteer Organisation goes around the country offering these services.
Reproductive services and family planning
In the regard that family planning should be accessible to all adults of reproductive age, organizations such as Marie Stopes Kenya offer free consultations and family planning services every year in October. Also, the Ministry of Health currently offers contraceptives at a subsidized price of Sh20, for birth control pills nationwide.
Free Tetanus vaccination
Free tetanus vaccination is offered in all public hospitals and government clinics across the country. In Nairobi, one can access this service at City Hall offices as well.