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Maahad Daawah Organization (MDO), a local NGO based in Nairobi held it's first ever medical camp at the Alfurqan Institute, Maili Tisa Centre in Namanga Division, Kajiado District on Sunday 12^th June 2005.

The camp was organized to provide free medical services to all communities in and around Maili Tissa Town. Over 1500 people turned up for the camp; All were treated and some cases referred to Nairobi, the organization took the responsibility of providing all necessary logistics including Medicines/Drugs, Accommodation, Meals, Transport and Medical charges at various hospitals in Nairobi. The services carried out were as follows: -

1. Eye clinic.	5. Gynecology.
2. Dental clinic.	6. Circumcision.
3. Medical clinic.	7. Skin diseases treatment.
4. ENT.	8. Minor Surgery.

We were honored by the presence; as the chief guest; of His Excellency High Commissioner of Bangladesh Major General Said Ahmed, who officiated the closing down ceremony of the medical camp and also presented certificates of appreciations to all the doctors and volunteers.

Best regards,

Sayed Hasan Alhaddad.
Executive Director


1. SUMMARY

It is with support of well-wishers and other professional bodies that enabled Maahad Daawah Organization (MDO) make a successful free medical camp on 12^th June 2005. The organization made awareness and proposals to all its stakeholders in different ways to enhance them with full information of the medical camp. Apart from limited time that it took to advertise, we were overwhelmed by the response, and managed to see a vast number of patients contrary to our expectations. Praise be to Allah (s.w.t) for enabling us to successfully carry out the camp and secondly we are grateful to all our invited doctors and specialists who came to the services in a good number with courage and dedication to render their services with one heart.

The organization's objective of setting up free medical camp in Maili Tiisa was to assist the poor people who could not get proper medical services in the area.
The nearest district hospital is around 100 kilometers away in Kajiado. The health centre in Namanga is not adequate to serve the local communities.
We were also aiming to improve socio-economic status of the people who are in need of a helping hand to improve their standard of living, so that they may in turn serve their country more effectively.

The outcome of the medical camp was extremely positive as over 1,600 patients cases were reviewed and treated for different types of ailments, while 23 children of various ages were circumcised on the same day.
At least five cases were referred to Nairobi, and special arrangements were made to conduct the eye surgeries through the Medical Dental unit at Park Road and Alfurqan Hostels where they were accommodated throughout their stay until they had recovered from their surgeries. It was really a very gratifying experience to the Old Maasai ladies who were experiencing their seeing the world after the successful eye surgeries!


2. SPONSORS

Health professional volunteers

1. Dr. M. R. Khan.	10. Dr. Swafiya Ibrahim.
2. Dr. Ahmed Parkar.	11. Dr. Abdallah.
3. Dr. M. Faruk Chaudry.	12. Dr. Hamisi Lyaga.
4. Dr. M. S. Saroya.	13. Prof. Kamran.
5. Dr. Salim Ali.	14. University of Nairobi - Medical Students.
6. Dr. Hamdun Said Hamdun.	15. Medical - Dental Park Road Mosque.
7. Dr. Paresh A. Dave.	16. M.P. Shah Hospital - Lab Assistants.
8. Dr. Aggarwal Payan.
9. Dr. Martin M. Lichoro.

Health professionals included Dental surgeons, General practitioners, Clinical officers, Lab technicians, Pharmacists, Eye surgeons, Paediatric surgeons and Specialist doctors.


3. TRANSPORTATION

The means of transportation (for doctors and volunteers) was by road, MDO acquired the free services of two minibuses from Apollo Tours & Travels, and with MDO members chipping in with their own vehicles. The Medicines/Drugs, Medical Equipment, Beddings etc were transported through the courtesy of lorries from Allied Metals Ltd and Kajiado Enterprises Ltd.


4. MEDICAL AND OTHER SUPPLIES

MDO made special appeals to various pharmaceuticals companies for medicines/drugs assistance. The response was extremely encouraging as the drugs donated were sufficient and estimated to cater for the number we were targeting. Some small quantities of drugs were purchased to cater for diseases not covered by the donations.
The transportation of drugs was made earlier to enhance the arrangement of the camp.
The companies, which generously donated drugs to the medical camp, are:

1. Bulk medicals Ltd.	8. Cosmos Ltd.
2. Mac's pharmaceuticals.	9. Dawa pharmaceuticals.
3. Family Eye Care.	10. Regal Pharmaceuticals.
4. Globe pharmacy.	11. Glaxosmithcline Ltd.
5. Harleys ltd.	12. Surghipharm Ltd.
6. Chemoquip Ltd.	13. Assia pharmaceuticals.
7. Biodeal laboratories Ltd.

List of Other Organizations and Individuals who also donated drugs: -

1. Crescent medical Aid (K).	5. Parklands Youth group.
2. Al-Muntada Al Islami Trust.	6. Medical-Dental unit Park Road.
3. Giants Group.
4. Ahmed Bakerali.

5. PUBLICITY

One month prior to the medical camp, the organization advertised through Banners, Posters, Islamic Friday bulletin, chief Barazas, etc. All the stationery required, such as, registration forms, banners, patients card, certificate of appreciation, pens and doctors pad, were made well in advance.


6. ACCOMMODATION

The organization arranged accommodation at the newly opened Tizi Camp, situated near Maili Tisa town, where all the doctors, volunteers and special guests were accommodated well with, full meals provided to their satisfaction. Bobmil (K) Ltd., Girls Training Institute - Pangani and Al Muntada Islami Trust, provided the beddings. Tents were generously provided by Kenya Tents Ltd. The camp owner was so impressed with our camp that he even allowed us the use of his personal residence at a subsidized rate.


7. CASH/CHEQUES DONATIONS

MDO received the following cash donations, which were used in Accommodations & Food, Fuel & Drivers allowances for the vehicles, Stationary, Eye surgeries Patients, etc.

1. 3 Z foundation.
2. Ahmed Baker Ali.
3. Dr. M R Khan.
4. Maahad Daawah Organization Members.


8. ACHIEVEMENTS

Praise be to Allah (s.w.) the organization achieved its objective with the provision of free medical services to the needy local people to their expectations. In a medical camp of one day the following services was provided: -

1. Eye treatment	-	500 cases
2. Skin/ENT reviews	-	216 cases
3. Dental services	-	145 cases
4. Laboratories test	-	96 cases
5. General medical services	-	619 cases
6. Circumcision services	-	23 cases
7. Minor surgery	-	1 case
Total number of services	-	1600 cases

No. Treated & discharged in Nairobi.

1. Eye surgery	-	4 cases
2. Radiology - X- ray	-	1 case (taken to KNH)
Total	-	5 cases

9. CHALLENGES

This being the first ever medical camp the Maahad Daawah Organization hosted, Its achievements overweighed the challenges, however without previous experience in holding such a camp the challenges encountered are as follows: -

1. At times, due to large numbers of patients, the services were stretched to their limits, only great coordination from the volunteers ensured that the operations went smoothly.

2. More volunteer doctors and medical assistants were required to cope with the large numbers and limited period of time for the camp.

3. Due to the distance from Nairobi of the camp, the camp had to be closed by 3.00pm, to facilitate the transport back of the doctors, volunteers, members and the goods.


10. LESSONS

1. Drugs to be appealed for or purchased at least 3 weeks prior to the medical camp this is to facilitate the arrangement and packaging of the drugs.

2. More doctors and volunteers to be approached and participation confirmed earlier enough to avoid last minute rush.

3. Media coverage to be made well in advance.


11. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Medical camp to be held annually.

2. The camps should be held for more than One day (at least two days), to cover the maximum numbers of people.

3. Potential sponsors to be approached at least 3 months prior to the medical camp.

4. Ensure proper arrangements have been made for the Media coverage.

5. For long-term health sustainability, a permanent health clinic should be set up, to offer at least one a month treatment as a start. We would welcome donations from the pharmaceutical companies to sustain this clinic.

6. Due to the high number of patients seen by the eye specialist, suggestions have been made to put up an operating theater within the centre.


12. VOTE OF THANKS

It is through the Grace of the almighty Allah that we were able to achieve the success as mentioned.
We would also to like to most sincerely thank the pharmaceuticals companies, doctors, and volunteers, for their support.
Special mention goes to His Excellency High Commissioner of Bangladesh Major General Said Ahmed, for his attendance and moral support, and also to Mr. Ahmed Bakerali and Family for their enthusiasm and dedication during the camp.

END OF REPORT