In a bid to tackle the rising burden of diabetes and related non-communicable diseases, the Safaricom Foundation has partnered with the Kenya Diabetes Management & Information Centre (DMI Centre) to conduct mobile medical camps across the country. Since 2006, these camps have offered free health services, including screenings for diabetes and hypertension, eye examinations, cataract surgeries, dental check-ups, family planning, and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Recent camps in Mathare, Buuri, Githunguri, and Kisumu drew between 1,000 and 3,000 participants each, providing critical healthcare access to underserved communities.
The DMI Centre, a registered medical charity established in 1999, has spent over a decade creating awareness on diabetes, training healthcare professionals, and supporting children living with the condition. During the camps, volunteers from local hospitals and specialized units such as the Kikuyu Eye Unit provided professional medical care. In Buuri, 22 patients with serious cataract cases were referred to Buuri Sub-County Hospital for further treatment, with follow-ups supported by the Safaricom Foundation. To date, the Foundation has invested over Ksh 45 million to support these initiatives, now in their fourth phase.
Officials from both DMI and Safaricom emphasize that the mobile medical camps not only provide immediate care but also empower communities with knowledge on preventive health. The initiative demonstrates the impact of public-private partnerships in addressing critical health challenges while strengthening the healthcare system. Plans are underway to expand the program to additional counties, ensuring that more Kenyans benefit from early diagnosis, treatment, and health education, ultimately aiming to curb the long-term effects of diabetes and other chronic diseases nationwide.