THE Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam, Oysterbay, has conducted a free medical camp to residents of Kerege in Bagamoyo District, Coast Region.

The free screening and treatment camp took place at the weekend as part of Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD), an event which implements community development and humanitarian service programmes for preventive health care.

Abdulrahman Hussein, president of Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam Oysterbay, said the signature event was the second such programme to take place under the current rotary year.

The camp provided Malaria screening and treatment, dental screening and dental kits distribution, eye screening and treatment, menstrual hygiene education and sanitary pads distribution and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) screening treatment and education.

The camp benefited a total of 1,650 pupils from Kerege Primary School, 799 of whom were girls.

“This second programme follows the success of our first medical camp and we will continue in other areas.”

 “This medical camp is aligned with our overall vision of providing healthcare services to rural communities that are often underserved,” he said.

 Through the medical camp, the club also distributed 89 cartons of disposable sanitary pads as well as 40 packets of reusable pads to girls and women, and dental kits for pupils.

He said the success of the Kerege medical camp was based on the collaborative efforts of sponsors, volunteers and community partners who generously contributed their time, resources and expertise to make the event possible.

He added that their dedication reflects the spirit of rotary's motto ‘Service Above Self’ and reinforces the club's mission to create positive change in the world.

The undertaking was made possible through partnership with Tarmal Industries, Light of the World, Mastercable, White Sands, Chemicotex, Footsteps, SGA Security and PepsiCo. Other partners include over 30 medical practitioners and over 250 volunteers.

Nderekio Nyiti, head teacher of Kerege Primary School, said such contributions facilitate an increase in attendance for girls who usually do not attend classes during the menstrual period.