750 Kerege residents treated at Annual Medical Camp by the Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oyster Ba

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - Nov. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- The Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay through Service Projects designed to improve the health in the community, held its fourth one-day, free Medical Camp, which will positively impact the lives of the people in the district of Bagamoyo for years to come.

The medical camp took place on Sunday, November 16th, 2014, when more than 200  volunteer health professionals screened and treated more than 700 Bagamoyo residents for a number of conditions and diseases.

MEDICAL CAMP

The Medical Camp, part of the wider Community Health Initiave took place on Sunday, 16 November 2014 from 08:00 to 15:00. Medical professionals and experts screened 750 people for a range of conditions including malaria, anaemia, diabetes and hypertension. There were eye-sight checks and, where applicable, free spectacles ere handed out by optometrists. Cervical and breast cancer screenings were available and, for the first time, dermatological and dental check ups. Optional HIV testing was also offered, and counselling and education on the issue was provided.

This year’s camp focussed on malaria prevention, education and treatment and, free mosquito nets were handed out to about 500 camp participants. Each patient received a general health check-up to identify other common ailments and risk factors and counselling was provided on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and the role of exercise.

An additional focus was on Maternal & Child health. Free obstetric emergency kits were distributed to pregnant women and ante-natal counselling was provided. Pregnant women and those will small children enjoyed preferential treatment in the allocation of mosquito nets.

More than 100 doctors and support staff helped with registration, screening and mosquito net distribution. All tests, counselling, and medical advicewere provided free of charge and referrals to hospitals will be organized as necessary.

“The purpose of the camp was to bring basic quality health services to people who would otherwise not have had easy access to them,” said Liz Corbishley, Service Projects Committee Director of the Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay.

This project would not have been possible without the financial support of the Rotary Club of Seattle 4, of Seattle, Washington, USA.

“We’re excited and proud that through the combined efforts of the community, local and international Rotarians, local government and institutions, NGOs, the medical community and the private sector we are able to organize this Medical Camp for the fourth time,” said Thomas Scherer, the President of the Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay 2014-2015.

The Medical Camp was organized in partnership with the Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, Kidz Care Tanzania, AMREF, ICAP, Sight Savers, The Tanzania Diabetes Association, The Ocean Road Cancer Institute, BD Clinic, One World One Smile, Sayona, Printzone Ltd, DeskTop Productions Limited, Knight Support, Trinity Promotions Ltd., and vClick Concepts Inc., and is financially supported by Diamond Trust Bank and by the Rotary Club of Seattle Four

Background

The first free Medical Camp was hosted by the Club in Chanika in 2011 and more than 600 people were screened for malaria, HIV, diabetes, ENT, eyesight and chronic disease risk factors. Free medicines and spectacles were given to the people diagnosed with relevant health and eyesight problems. In 2012 we served more than 700 people, and the same again in 2013. This year, it is expected that the same number of people will be registered on a first come first serve basis.

About Rotary

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians are business leaders who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education, promote peace, and eradicate polio. Our motto is “Service Above Self”.

The Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay welcomes new members. To learn more about the club, its members and philanthropic activities throughout Tanzania, visit www(dot)rotarydar(dot)com