Your health is the better option

By Collins Shahonya.

This was the theme of the day at Isinya health centre- which hosted a medical camp for the people from Kajiado East constituency on Saturday the 22^nd of March 2014 an initiative sponsored by Safaricom foundation addressing  heath where there was once despair.

A bee-hive of activities was eminent when you first approached the gates of the facility. A flyer indicating the initiative of Safaricom for betterment of people’s health could not be ignored.

safaricom foundation flyer in the venue

 

The process was systematic; one was to chew a deworming tablet and then be given a slip identification number which was to be handed over at the registration desk where your personal details were jolted on a prescription form, diabetes screening questionnaire and the clinical assessment form.

counselling session

It was evident that most of our grannies from this locality do not know how old they are, and this was disturbing and baffling to the secretaries at the registry desk.

registrars at work

At the waiting bay, a big population was waiting for their turn to get to understand if they have gained or reduced their weight, their height, blood sugar level and blood pressure. An average individual is to have a blood pressure ranging between 3.5-6.7Mmols and 100/60-130/80Mmttg respectively, and with the last steps being visiting the doctor for dental, breast, cervical cancer, eyes and foot examination.

Before the rains started pouring and disturbing the peace of mind for everyone a big number had been cross examined. Unfortunately not everyone was lucky to have the free services and they were sent away.

Other sponsors were Kenya Diabetes Management and information centre, Isinya Health Centre Hon.Peris Tobiko, MP, Kajiado East constituency. This will be a wake up call for everyone to prioritize their health for their health is the better option. A similar exercise is expected in April this year at the same venue.

Women empowerment in diversity

By Collins Shahonya

The well known “Kituo cha Sheria” took the advantage of thousands converging at Isinya Health Centre for the Isinya medical camp on Saturday the 22^nd of March 2014. 

kituo cha sheria representatives

With all the representatives dressed I distinguished black caps and T-shirts resembling all the service providers on ground, The Centre of Legal Empowerment, emphasized on the need of women understanding legal aid to legal empowerment.

A civil society of the year (CSOYA0 WINNER 2010), the centre is a premier organization promoting access to justice, whose vision is ‘A society of Justice and Equity for all’.

Women were educated on how to use legal aid in settling marriage scores which included women buttery, wealth and inheritance and promiscuity to mention a few.

 

a lady from kituo cha sheria addressing the crowd on legal expertise

The centre is on a mission to empower the poor and marginalized people to effectively access justice and realize human and people rights through advocacy, networking, lobbying, legal aid, legal education, representation and research.

Men too were encouraged to seek assistance from Kituo by telephone, e-mail, letters or representation by someone with full knowledge of the problem with the relevant documents to the institution.

For services, they have a head office in Nairobi, regional office in Mombasa, and a branch in Eastleigh. Obliged to uphold the rule of law and commitment to justice and equity for all, the centre for legal empowerment is fulfilling some of its strategic plans fro 2008-2013.

Health Friday

By Collins Shahonya.

Kajiado county residents were earmarked for the Tetanus vaccine campaign slated for one week starting on 21^st to 27^th of March 2014. And in Isinya district, the sounding of the bells that the day was here, dawned well on everyone who made it to Isinya health centre.

being examined

All women aged between fourteen to nineteen years would be administered the tetanus vaccine; since women are the most vulnerable to tetanus infection especially the pastoralists community.

“Not everyone is comfortable at giving birth in our health facilities and this becomes a huge risk to all the women who give birth at home or with the assistant of community herbalists who do not conform to the rule of ‘a hundred percent hygiene’. Women therefore can easily get tetanus through cutting of the umbilical cord with unsterilized equipments!”, said one nurse who pleaded anonymity, since she is not mandated to speak on behalf of the health facility.

a lady receiving an injection

Isinya health centre recorded a huge turnout thanks to the media highlighting its importance to every Kenyan woman. By the close of the day more than 500 women had been vaccinated against the infection. Though some were nervous and could not bear the injection of the vaccine on their left deltoid muscles.

All 500⁺ women were issued with cards indicating they had been vaccinated. They were encouraged to take another injection after a period of between 6 months and one year.

Isinya District bankrolls The prohibition of female genital mutilation act, 2011.

By Collins Shahonya.

In a start-up one day conference held at Isinya multipurpose centre a few weeks ago the leaders in the district led by the area chief were dully taught on how to educate the public to shun away from the practice of FGM.

creating awareness

This is an act of parliament to prohibit the practice of female genital mutilation, to safeguard against violation of person’s mental or physical integrity through the practice of FGM and for connected purposes.

In the context of the act, FGM includes: clitoridectomy which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora and infibulations, which is the narrowing of the vaginal orifice with the creation of a covering seal by cutting and  appositioning the labia minora or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris.

In an interview Mr. Jeremiah Msumpai Ateti Chairman Isinya district community policing and who was among those in the conference said that the public will be soon educated about the act, the effects of practicing FGM and the consequences of going against the stated act.

The Act in part IV includes; aiding and abetting female genital mutilation, procuring a person to perform FGM in another country, use of premises to perform FGM, possession of tools or equipments, failure to report commission of offence, and use of derogatory or abusive language.

Part V Subsection 29 puts the public liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years, or to a fine of not less than two hundred thousand shillings or both.

With the Maasai community having delved into circumcision of girls for the past decades, it is expected that it will be a hard tussle to abolish female genital mutilation. A proper approach will therefore be needed to sensitize this community on the act; with support from non-governmental organizations, schools, churches, local leaders and even hospitals.