A section of patients waiting to be attended at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium medical camp
in Arusha, last week.
BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
More than 21,000 people were given free screening and treatment during a seven-day medical camp in Arusha, where 982 of them were found to have diabetes, heart-related conditions or signs associated with cancer.
According to figures released at the conclusion of the exercise 6,297 people were screened for diabetes, with 503 found to have the condition while another 1,665 underwent heart examination, with 461 found to have heart-related conditions.
“This open clinic was one of the biggest conducted so far,” said the Arusha Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Paul Makonda, during the closing of the clinic, which he had organised in collaboration with the Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC)’s Office, the Ministry of Health, national referral hospitals, specialised health institutions and private hospitals.
Also, 836 people were screened for cancer, with 18 found to have signs or symptoms requiring further investigation. The findings brought the number of patients identified with the three categories of health conditions to 982. The cancer findings were not presented as final but rather as warning signs requiring additional tests and specialist assessment.
The services offered during the camp included general medical examinations, specialist consultations, laboratory tests, heart screening, cancer and diabetes screening, eye care, medicine and referrals for patients requiring further treatment.
Patients diagnosed with serious conditions or those requiring specialised medical attention were referred to appropriate health facilities for continued care. The Dar es Salaam based Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) was among the specialised institutions that participated in the camp, providing heart screening and supporting follow-up care for patients diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions.
Patients diagnosed with heart problems were expected to receive further treatment through the institute’s services at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC), which serves as its branch for residents of the northern regions.
The camp also used a digital patient-management system designed to record patients’ medical histories, examination results, diagnoses and treatment information, making it easier for health professionals to follow up on patients after the exercise.
The large turnout highlighted the demand for affordable specialist medical services and the importance of regular health screening, particularly for diseases that may develop without noticeable symptoms, said Mr Makonda.
Organisers encouraged residents to undergo routine medical examinations to enable early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCD)such as diabetes, cancer and heart conditions.
