In reaffirming its commitment to the health needs of veterans and retirees, the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme (DEFMIS) on 25 September 2025 organized a medical camp at Nakuru ASK Showgrounds in Nakuru town.
Beneficiaries underwent medical check-ups, treatment, and were also connected to their accredited healthcare providers. The event sought to raise awareness on key health issues and provided a platform for sessions on mental wellness, disease prevention, and the detection and management of non-communicable illnesses.
The Chief Guest, Brigadier (Dr.) Francis Kuria, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Lanet Regional Hospital (LRH) in his address expressed appreciation to DEFMIS for organizing the medical camp, terming it a valuable opportunity to address beneficiaries’ health needs. He pointed out the burden of chronic illnesses among the elderly and urged members to seek regular checkups.
“Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension often appear in old age, and regular screening is one of the best ways to prevent and manage them,” he noted. Brig. Kuria also encouraged veterans to consider the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a complementary insurance cover, adding that it would benefit them and their dependants while improving their quality of life in retirement.
Colonel Mercy Mandila, the Deputy Managing Director DEFMIS, emphasized the need for members to be ambassadors of DEFMIS by reporting insurance fraud, warning it could undermine the scheme’s sustainability if it continues. She further noted that the ‘Pharmacy First’ initiative will soon enable patients with chronic conditions to access medications directly from selected pharmacies. “This will provide greater convenience and continuity of care,” she said.
Health providers and other stakeholders that partnered with DEFMIS for the successful event were The Nairobi Women’s Hospital, The Nakuru Specialist Hospital, Lanet Regional Hospital, Shabaha Cancer Center, Nairobi Hospital, AAR Healthcare, Lions Sightfirst Eye Hospital, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Ulinzi Prime Health Services Fund (UPHS), Bloom Hospital, St Mary’s Mission Hospital, Monalife Pharmaceuticals, Karen Hospital and Defence Forces Comrades Association (DEFOCA) among others.
The medical camp brought together over 300 beneficiaries constituting retired and retiring Senior Officers, Officers, Service Members and their families.
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