Access to quality healthcare is central to the wellbeing and resilience of communities, particularly in areas where distance and limited access to specialised services can delay diagnosis and treatment. Bringing essential healthcare closer to such communities can therefore make a significant difference in preventing disease, improving quality of life and strengthening community resilience.
Safaricom Foundation and M-PESA Foundation, in partnership with Zuri Healthcare and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU), conducted a free medical camp in Kolowa Sub-County, providing residents with preventive, diagnostic and specialised healthcare services.
The outreach brought medical professionals and essential services closer to residents who would otherwise have to travel considerable distances to access specialised care. With emphasis on prevention, early detection and timely intervention, the camp enabled beneficiaries to undergo medical assessments while receiving professional guidance on managing existing and emerging health concerns.
Services included blood sugar testing for the detection and monitoring of diabetes and blood pressure checks to identify hypertension. Residents also benefited from screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancers, creating opportunities for early identification, referral and appropriate medical intervention.
Specialised services formed an important component of the outreach. Medical teams conducted eye examinations to identify visual conditions, while eligible patients requiring further intervention benefited from cataract surgery. Dental consultations were also provided, giving residents access to professional oral health assessment, advice and appropriate treatment.
By integrating multiple services within a single outreach, the medical camp addressed a broad range of healthcare needs while reducing barriers associated with accessing specialised treatment. Healthcare professionals also engaged residents on preventive health practices, routine screening and the importance of seeking medical attention before manageable conditions develop into more serious complications.
KDF participation through Operation Maliza Uhalifu complemented wider efforts to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of communities within the operation’s area of responsibility. Beyond its security mandate, engagement with communities provides opportunities to foster cooperation, build confidence and strengthen relationships between security agencies and the population.
The medical outreach demonstrated the value of partnerships in addressing community needs. By bringing together private-sector foundations, healthcare professionals and security actors, the initiative pooled expertise, resources and institutional capabilities to deliver practical interventions directly to beneficiaries.
Beyond the immediate treatment provided, the camp strengthened awareness of preventive healthcare and encouraged residents to take a more proactive role in safeguarding their health.
Early screening for diabetes, hypertension and cancer can support timely treatment, while access to eye and dental services can significantly improve individual wellbeing and quality of life.
The collaboration further highlighted the importance of sustained engagement among healthcare providers, development partners, government agencies, security actors and local communities. Such partnerships can help bridge gaps in service delivery while contributing to stronger and more resilient communities.
Through community-focused initiatives such as the Kolowa medical camp, healthcare becomes more than a clinical intervention. It provides a platform for building trust, strengthening cooperation and improving human security—demonstrating that healthier communities are an important foundation for lasting resilience, stability and peaceful coexistence.
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