Health Workers of Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital (GCTRH) have provided free specialised consultations, diagnostic imaging, psychosocial counselling and medication to 299 children living with epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions during a five-day medical outreach across Garissa County.
The countywide outreach brought together a multidisciplinary team of specialists who delivered comprehensive paediatric neurological services at no cost to families, improving access to essential healthcare for children with disabilities and neurological disorders.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Hussein Basheey Ahmed commended the medical specialists and healthcare workers whose dedication made the outreach a success.
He paid special tribute to paediatrician Dr. Rukia Ahmed and psychiatrist Dr. Mohamed Hillow for leading the specialised clinics.
He also recognised nurses, medical officers, records officers and other support staff for their commitment throughout the exercise.
Mr. Basheey said the outreach enabled specialists to offer comprehensive care, including specialist consultations, diagnostic imaging, psychosocial counselling, medication and referrals for further management where necessary.
“Our specialists were able to provide comprehensive care to children living with epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Families received specialist consultations, counselling, medications and referrals for additional investigations where required, while children needing continued care were enrolled in our specialised clinic for follow-up,” he said.
The outreach covered several locations across the county. On Thursday, the team visited Dadaab, where 40 children received specialised services and six Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were conducted. On Friday, the outreach moved to Masalani, serving 53 children and performing 10 EEGs. On Saturday, specialists attended to 33 children in Balambala, where 11 EEGs were carried out.
The earlier phase of the outreach at Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital benefited 186 children, all of whom received free specialist consultations and appropriate care.
In total, the five-day programme reached 299 children with epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions, bringing specialised neurological services closer to communities that often face barriers to accessing such care.
Mr. Basheey noted that while Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital regularly conducts specialised medical camps, including fistula repair and cataract surgery, the latest initiative was unique because it focused exclusively on children with disabilities, particularly those living with epilepsy.
“This was not an ordinary medical camp. It was a special outreach dedicated to children with disabilities, particularly those living with epilepsy. We offered specialist consultations, diagnostic imaging, psychosocial counselling and medications completely free of charge,” he said.
He assured families that support would continue beyond the outreach, with children requiring ongoing care enrolled in the hospital’s specialised paediatric clinics for regular follow-up.
The Deputy CEO also encouraged parents and guardians of children with similar conditions to contact the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) office, which will facilitate referrals to paediatric specialists for assessment and treatment.
The outreach forms part of commitment to strengthen specialised paediatric neurological services and ensuring children living with epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders receive timely, quality and affordable healthcare across Garissa County.
