As healthcare costs continue to rise, many would find it difficult to believe that a private health facility can offer medical services at no charge.
This is precisely what is occurring at the Kakenya Health and Wellness Centre in Isampin village, Trans Mara West subcounty, Narok county, where vulnerable community members receive treatment without paying.
At this facility, all children and young people aged 25 years and below receive free treatment, while senior citizens aged 60 years and above are also treated without cost.
The health centre, which has become highly popular among residents due to its subsidized services, was officially opened on July 12, 2024 by Kakenya’s Dream, a humanitarian NGO established in 2009 by Dr Kakenya Ntaiya.
The center was created to ensure that students sponsored by Kakenya’s Dream, as well as members of the surrounding community, could access affordable and quality healthcare.
Since opening, the health facility has been serving at least 2,000 patients monthly.
“Young people between zero and 25 years receive free treatment at our facility, while people aged 60 years and above also receive treatment without charge,” clinical officer Martha Nega, who is attached to the center, said.
She attributed the large number of patients visiting the facility to the increasing cost of healthcare and the quality of services provided.
“With the current difficult economic conditions, many people are drawn to the free services,” Nega said.
“Beyond that, we also provide quality treatment and ensure our patients are satisfied by treating them in a friendly manner.”
She added that patients with non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, also receive free treatment regardless of age.
“In the past, many local patients with these conditions could not afford medication, which is often very expensive,” Nega said.
“Some would even skip treatment for more than two months because they lacked money to purchase the drugs.”
According to her, the free non-communicable diseases drugs program was introduced out of compassion for vulnerable community members, particularly children, elderly people and patients with chronic illnesses.
“One qualifies for free treatment after registering at our facility. Once that is completed, they can access treatment regardless of whether they come from within the locality or outside,” she said.
In addition to treating common illnesses, the facility also provides care and counseling services for girls rescued from early marriages, rape and gender-based violence.
“We handle cases involving girls fleeing female genital mutilation. Some survivors of sexual abuse come here for treatment and counseling because they feel safe and supported at the facility,” Nega added.
A beneficiary of the free medical services, Lengetu Ole Sopia, 60, said the establishment of the health center has been a major relief to the community, especially students at the Kakenya Centres for Excellence.
“The girls no longer have to travel long distances to seek treatment whenever they fall ill. The facility is easily accessible and has improved their safety,” he said.
Ole Sopia added that he personally benefits from the free treatment because he is over 60 years old and lives in Isampin village.
“The establishment of this health center has greatly helped many struggling families in the community, including my own, to obtain treatment within reach,” he said.
Another resident, Karimaticho Kosencha, 68, said she sought treatment at the facility shortly after it opened and was diagnosed with a mental health condition.
“I followed the treatment plan and counseling sessions recommended by the medical staff, and I eventually recovered. The medical officers treated me with kindness and respect,” she said.
Kosencha recalled that before the facility was established, sick residents had to travel long distances on motorcycles to seek treatment, which was expensive for many families.
“Those who could not afford transportation costs simply suffered in silence,” she added.
Counselling psychologist Joy Naserian, who works in the center’s mental health department, said she handles numerous mental health cases involving both students and community members.
Part of her responsibility is to monitor the mental well-being of learners at the two Kakenya Centres for Excellence, including students who have progressed to colleges and universities under the sponsorship of Kakenya’s Dream.
“We provide psychosocial support because a child who is not mentally stable cannot concentrate in class or perform well academically. When learners are mentally healthy, they become more productive,” she said.
Naserian added that she also offers psychological interventions, psychoeducation and counseling services to adult patients with mental health challenges.
“In severe cases, I refer patients for psychiatric review,” she said.
Registered nurse Phoebe Kakenya said the facility provides outpatient services for common diseases, maternal and child healthcare, as well as mental health services.
“At the outpatient department, we attend to at least 2,000 patients every month for common ailments. We also offer maternal and child health services, including immunization, antenatal care and family planning,” she said.