AE’s Soweto Kayole Clinic continues to offer essential primary healthcare services to those who need them most.
Early in 2020, many primary health facilities in Nairobi were closed due to the fear of Covid-19, as well as low patient numbers. However, Soweto Kayole remained open to provide essential primary healthcare services to residents of the surrounding slums.
Soweto Kayole Clinic offers affordable and reliable pregnancy services. The antenatal care offered by the clinic includes voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services for HIV, and the prevention of mother-to child transmission of the disease.
The Clinic also provides HIV counselling, testing and anti-retroviral treatment for residents of the surrounding slums. HIV patients receive comprehensive care that includes anti-retroviral drugs and other medications, nutrition parcels, psychological support and ongoing medical follow-up.
In addition, Soweto Kayole tests and treats patients for tuberculosis, which is very prevalent in the region. During a recent TB campaign, 652 patients were tested for tuberculosis, and 251 tested positive. These patients are receiving TB treatment free of charge at the clinic.
Soweto Kayole clinic also manages emergencies and trauma cases. With an ambulance donated by AE supporters, the clinic is able to refer those with more serious injuries to major hospital centres.
The clinic continues to offer immunisations and growth monitoring of babies and children, as well as education of mothers in the community.
Following the lifting of government Covid-restrictions, clinic staff and volunteers have resumed various health promotion initiatives. Recent initiatives have focused on hygiene and the prevention of infectious diseases.
The Clinic has also recently started a Community Transformation group comprised of local health volunteers. The volunteers have recently received training in trauma healing, and are assisting with trauma counselling and psychosocial support for clinic patients. The group also aims to initiate income-generating activities in the near future.
Ben Campbell (Sydney) is the CEO Africa Enterprise.
