Over 1,000 patients in Kisumu on Sunday benefitted from a free medical programme carried out by the Equator Round Table.
The patients mainly from slums like Nyalenda and Manyatta braved the chilly morning to seek free medication that was staged at Jalaram Academy, Milimani Estate.
Equator Round Table is part of a global organisation called Round Table with its headquarters in Great Britain.
Jay Shah, the president of Round Table East Africa, said they were responding to the complaints of the locals.
“I was born here in Kisumu, we though it wise to start with giving free medical treatment to our people before we can embark on offering the same to other regions in Kenya and in East Africa as a whole,” he said.
Shah said Equator Round Table No 28 was started in Kisumu over 27 years ago and it falls under the jurisdiction of Round Tables in Eastern Africa, which directly reports to Round Table International.
The former chairman of Equator Round Table No 28 Vishaal Shah says the non-religious and non-partisan organisation was formed by young men who have since dedicated their time to reach out to the less privileged in the society.
He said this year they took up the task of treating patients in Kisumu, with a target of 1,200 patients who cannot afford decent and appropriate medical care.
“We had a target of 1,200 patients but you can see the long queue, we will not turn away anybody but next time we will make arrangements for two days to be able to reach out to a large number of patents,” he said.
Shah said most of the patients treated had diabetes, noting that it was as a result of not checking blood pressure.
“There are other ailments but diabetes stands out to be a common disease here. We have nutritionists who will give advice on the kind of food to be taken. But I urge our people to be checking on their blood pressures frequently,” he said.
Some of the patients who benefited from the medical camp lauded the organisation for remembering the poor who have no resources to access quality medical care.
“I was here very early in the morning and I have received adequate treatment from a team of doctors. I am going back to the house very satisfied by the services of this team,” said John Nangwe, a resident of Nyalenda slum.
Nangwe said the cost of medication has shot high and the burden of referrals to Nairobi and Eldoret has been a hindrance to many residents receiving medication.
Sulmena Awino said she had received medication that would have cost her a fortune in public or private hospitals.
“This is a noble initiative, it helps those who cannot afford quality medical care to get high class treatment from qualified doctors,” she said.
The medical camp was supported by Standard Chartered Bank, Nakumatt and Tembo Drinks.
Other sponsor included Pabari Enterprises, Sindha Family, Bhayani Family Trust and Vishaal Shah.