Thousands of people living in Kenya’s poorest county received free medical treatment Monday.
Around 21 Turkish doctors and nine Turkish medical school graduates teamed up with 13 local doctors to offer services such as pediatric surgery, gynecological treatment and dental care to the local community in Turkana as well as refugees at the Kakuma refugee camps.
The refugees are from all over sub-Saharan Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Many walked for long distances in the 45 degree Celsius heat to wait for the life-saving surgeries being conducted at Kakuma Mission Hospital at the camps. Doctors told Anadolu Agency that some of the sophisticated surgeries normally cost between US$15,000 and US$20,000.
The hospitals were the surgeries took place were spread out across the county and included Kakuma Mission Hospital at the Kakuma 1, 2 and 3 camps as well as Kenya-based NGO the International Rescue Committee’s site.
Doctor Ahmet Cevik from Yeryuzu Doktorlari told Anadolu Agency that they had already performed more than 60 life-saving surgeries Monday at Kakuma Mission Hospital alone.
“Most of these people were in a very bad state, and I am happy being a doctor to be offering my services free of charge to these people, who really need this help being from the poorest county in Kenya with poor health services. We have changed lives here,” he said.
During the seven-day surgical camp organized by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Turkish non-governmental organizations, patients are also being tested and diagnosed if they are suspected to be suffering from eye infections.
Ole Njakop a local living in Kakuma, told Anadolu Agency he phoned a friend from the neighboring county of Marsabit to come to receive treatment for a swollen leg due to a snake bite.
“It happened a day ago. They sucked the poison out, but the leg was swollen. He has arrived here and has been booked. I am grateful,” he said.