HopeCore welcomes volunteers: clinical training

2022 MEDTREKS VISIT TO KENYA.

MedTreks is a team of medical volunteers whose mission is to strengthen the global health workforce locally and internationally. Village HopeCore International, Kenya (HopeCore) has partnered with MedTreks International for over 20 years. 12 MedTreks arrived in Chogoria on 10th September. During their stay, the MedTreks team conducted capacity building for HopeCore staff on different topics and participated in community and school-based health activities described below.

1. CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM

a) Wilderness First Aid Training

Thirty public health team members were engaged in a whole day of training on Wilderness First Aid. During the training, the team was trained in the following areas; Introduction to wilderness first aid, Burns management, Fracture management, seizure management, Wound management, Chocking management for adults, Chocking management, and CPR for adults, children, and young babies. Practical sessions accompanied the training to enhance their understanding and roll it out to community health volunteers. 

b) Pregnancy Disorders Training

On 15^th September, the team was trained on pregnancy disorders. The team was then engaged in a Question-and-Answer session on hypertension led by the MedTreks nurses.

2. HEALTH FAIR

A health fair is an educational and interactive event designed for outreach to provide basic preventive health care and medical screening to people in the community. On 13^th September, a well-organized health fair event was held at Kinamuthi Salvation Army Church at Kithino village, in Tharaka South sub-county in Tharaka Nithi County in Kenya. A total of 303 clients received blood pressure screening, Health education, growth monitoring, Family planning, Mother and Child treatment, and WASH services.

One hundred fifty-eight clients were screened for high blood pressure, and those with elevated blood pressure were referred to the nearest health facility for treatment.

a) Health education

Health education focuses on improving and maintaining health, preventing diseases, and reducing risky behaviors. The sessions were carried out in one room for all the adults. A total of 158 adults were educated on nutrition and Community Maternal and nutrition care.

b) Growth monitoring

Growth monitoring measures a child’s weight, Height, and head circumference to determine a child’s growth and detect early changes during the growing process. Our able field officers did growth monitoring for 137 under-five children. Seven under Five children had a z – score of negative three and are on follow-up by the Nutritionist.

c) Treatment Section

Five stations were set for treatment and dispensing of medication. Triaging was done by the field officers with the help of the MedTrek nurses to determine the clients to be treated first and to control the queue. 5 Hope Core nurses and 7 Med Treks nurses were at the treatment section. A total of 296 clients were treated, where 145 were children and 151 were mothers.

We also had 64 children receiving vitamin A and 47 deworming. Common conditions in children under five were respiratory tract infections, fevers of unknown origin, diarrhea, and other skin conditions. In adults, we had Hypertension, Joint pains/arthritis, respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, skin conditions, and eye conditions.

d) Water Hygiene and sanitation

A station for the WASH project was also set up where all adults were educated on the importance of treating or boiling drinking water, having handwashing stations at home, and the importance of washing their hands with soap and clean water. 12 waterguard bottles were distributed to community members.

The Village HopeCore and MedTreks collaboration to improve healthcare in rural Kenya will continue through 2023.