Turkana First Lady Lilian Ekamais has commended the Cirugia en Turkana (Spanish Surgical Team) for conducting 1,176 consultancies, out of which 874 were successful general surgeries, for nearly two weeks at Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH).
The First Lady was speaking in Lodwar yesterday during a dinner party organized by the Doctors to celebrate the conclusion and success of the Medical camp that ends today. “I am grateful for the generosity and humility offered by the Spanish doctors to our people, who can’t afford health care, it is an amazing gesture.” She said.
She further said that the surgeries have eased pain, restored health and smiles to hundreds of patients and urged the Doctors to continue with the spirit to help humanity.
The lead Surgeon Dr. Carmen Hernandez thanked the County Government for the partnership, providing a conducive environment and space for the Surgeons to conduct consultancies and surgical operations with ease. Dr. Hernandez hoped that more patients will be served in the next camp that will be held the same month in 2024.
While the Acting Chief Officer Joyce Illikwel appealed to the Spanish team to help train some local radiologists, urologists for enhanced and continued service in the County. She commended the team for enduring harsh weather conditions and other challenges to help the needy people of Turkana.
The LCRH Director/CEO Dr. Joseph Epem promised to increase theatre facilities and ensure recruitment of some specialists before the next medical camp to increase the number of patients to undergo surgical operations at LCRH.
Dr. Epem commended health staff at the County level and Spanish team for the success of the exercise that started on January 30th and ends on 10th February, saying that patients were mobilized in time and from all over Turkana.
The Chairman of the Surgical team, Dr. Khalid Hassan said that plans have already started for the next Medical Camp and the team wants to increase the coverage to reach more patients who missed to be served this year. He reiterated the need to build the capacity of local staff to provide quality and better services to all residents of Turkana.
The Spanish Doctors have been holding these annual medical camps since 2004 and so far more than 10,000 patients have been attended to. This year the team of 28 Spanish specialist volunteers participated in the camp, where the County Government through the Ministry of Health provided specialists staff, drugs to patients and waived all fees.
The dinner party was punctuated with dance, decorated with traditional attire and a certificate of exemplary service to humanity was awarded to the team by First Lady.
Others who spoke during the dinner party included Eye and Surgical Camp Coordinator and Secretary to the team Samson Akichem Lokele, LCRH Administrator Isaya Edung, Hospital Matron Rebecca Ayanae. Among the Surgeons in the Camp was Dr. James Kidalio among others.
