Peasants relieved as hospital comes nearer

  1. Posted on Wednesday 14 October 2009 - 23:12
    Peris
    Image of Peris
    Peris Wairimu, VoicesofAfrica alumna, Meru, Kenya
    The Nazareth Sisters in Meru Kenya,are proposing to address the issue of health problems faced by residents through establishment of a health center in Ruiri. The clinic which is hoped to be constructed on a piece of land owned by the Nazareth Sisters is aiming at promoting improved standard of living for the local community through a healthy lifestyle and effective disease management.
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    Climate change, economic crisis and lack of access to education are today's phrases to account for most African problems. In areas like Ruiri in Meru Kenya, these are facts of daily living and NOT mere words. Severe drought and famine have led to crop failures and death of livestock which in turn have led to high levels of poverty. Poverty for a family in Ruiri means NOT enough money to provide the basic necessities, to send children to school and also to cater for their health needs. Due to lack of clean water or good sanitation, residents have high tendencies of falling ill.

    The cost of traveling to the nearest health center from Ruiri is twice the cost of seeking treatment if there was a clinic nearby. Being 20km from Meru General Hospital and 16km from Isiolo General Hospital, the nearest health center is St. Theresa which is 12km followed by Kithoka Dispensary which is 14km away. These can only be reached in a very uncomfortable journey in a crowded public vehicle over rough roads. This is a current and growing crisis faced by most families in the area. According to the sister in charge sister Julia Tirindi who is also a nurse by profession, the clinic will not only address the immediate primary health needs of the local community but also aim at becoming the focal point of the community. This is because the clinic staff will offer adequate advice/information or education on ways of improving the living conditions in the region.

    This includes training residents on nutrition,sanitation,disease prevention and also creating awareness on HIV and AIDS. By provision of health care, the clinic will play a very essential role of saving lives. Children and pregnant mothers are the most affected. The clinic will therefore reduce their medical expenses by effective treatment and increased health education. For example the clinic staff will advice he residents to start keeping poultry and other domestic animals. This is to ensure that they obtain adequate meat,milk and eggs.

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