For the inhabitants of Mbale (West Kenya), the medical camps are the only places where they can undergo medical examinations and receive treatment for free – the price of medication is exorbitant!
This is why some patients often have to wait for months for another medical camp to be organised by hope.
On Saturday, 7 September 2013, the wait ended again:
Numerous patients (primarily women with sick children) had been awaiting the two doctors, the nurse and the chemist since the break of dawn.
Examinations and treatments were undertaken without pause until 1.30pm:
250 children, 65 adults, of whom many were very old people: altogether 315 people.
Our medical camps are always planned to take place over the entire day (up to an hour before sunset). This was, however, not possible this time, due to the onset of torrential rain which forced the helpers to return along the main road. The roads to and from Mbale cannot be used after torrential rain – not even with off-road vehicles. Nevertheless, it was possible for the most urgent cases to be treated thanks to Recky Awino Kyalo’s (our coordinator) superb management.
The most prevalent conditions were once again malaria, skin disorders, diarrhoea, worm infestation (jigger) and respiratory disorders. Our medical camps are organised in such a way that the necessary treatments are implemented immediately following diagnosis.
These are usually injections, intravenous drips, bandages and especially medication. Hospitalisation is also organised where needed (thankfully it was not necessary this time!).
The hospital costs incurred for the people of Mbale are paid for by hope. In order to conduct our voluntary activities, we are therefore reliant on sponsors, who help to finance extraordinary activities, such as medical camps or necessary hospital stays.
Consequently, we are especially grateful that our most recent medical camp, during which 315 people were medically examined and treated, was sponsored by three people from Neuthard and Büchenau.
Instead of presents for their 150th birthday, they wished for a donation to hope from their birthday guests. We would like to say a sincere thank you for a very large sum, which provides immense support for our work to help the underprivileged people in Mbale (West Kenya).