Since 2004 CPSK has
held medical camps in Nairobi and one in Thika in 2010 in conjunction with
pediatric doctors, orthopedics, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and dentists,
ENT specialists and Nutritionists.
The medical camps are
hosted to meet the following objectives
- To
provide a forum for doctors to see children with CP condition and to offer
specialized advice.
- To determine the most common diseases among CP
children and their most pressing needs.
- To spread awareness among parents and public and
fight stigma associated with the condition.
Through sponsorship from the Insurance Regulatory Authority CPSK was
able to meet two of its core objectives. This was possible through the charity
walk held on the 30th of June 2012 and the objectives were;
- To strengthen the outreach program and to embark on an aggressive
expansion outreach program
- To continue with the awareness creation and publicity to reduce
stigma and to mainstream disability.
- The medical camp was organized with help
of the following Institutions;
- ·
Coast general Hospital
- ·
Cerebral Palsy Foundation Tudor
- ·
APDK Mbombolulu and PortReiz
- ·
Muncipal Council through PHD
- ·
Kizurini Special school
- ·
Tom Mboya School for Cerebral and Tudor Unit (MH) collaborated.
The Camp
The camp was held on 20th and 21st
at the Mombasa Women’s Association Hall which is situated on the southern side
of the Island on your way to Likoni Ferry.
The
medical personnel were able to attend to180 children on the two days. After
consultations, the parents went away with prescriptions and referrals.
FINDINGS
The most
common ailments included: - Upper and lower respiratory infections, convulsions,
ear/throat infections, dental problems, malnutrition, skin infections, severe
contractures and deformities of the spine.
It was clear that most of the
children screened were not getting proper medical care and therapy. This was mainly
attributed to the poverty levels encountered in most areas of the coast region.
Some parents expressed fear as to whether they would be able to buy the
prescribed drugs and assistive devices prescribed.
According to observations many
people in Coast province still associated cerebral palsy with witchcraft thus
more sensitization was needed.
Children from Kizurini School had
more complications than the rest; hence the need to empower parents, the school
required a nutritionist and a clinical officer to monitor their progress.
KIZURINI SPECIAL SCHOOL
Cerebral Palsy society of Kenya
in efforts to strengthening and expanding its outreach program to the counties
visited the school and found the condition of the children and their parents
wanting.
The
Kizurini Special School CP is situated in Kizurini Memorial Primary School in
Kaloleni. Among the 17 special schools in kaloleni District, Kizurini special
school is the only one dealing with cases of cerebral palsy. The school was
started in 2007 and currently admits 35 children who are on a boarding or
residential programme meaning they learn and also live in the school premises.
The aim
of the school is to train children with cerebral palsy with daily living skills
and general rehabilitation. Among other objectives of the school is to create
awareness about special needs education in the communities in Kaloleni and to
make the school suitable institution that gives quality education. Kizurini
primary was picked due to its central location and easily accessible by parents.
The schools proximity to St.Lukes hospital also makes it ideal for children
with Cerebral Palsy.
The Facility
is faced with a myriad of challenges, starting with the land scape of the school;
the school has a slope and stones which is a hindrance to children’s movement
due to their disability. The facility lacks ramps which makes it disability
unfriendly.
- The school lacks therapists
in the rehabilitation of these children leading to contractures or
secondary disabilities.
- Lack of enough facilities, the
school has one room which serves as a class, dormitory, feeding area and
also playing area. The school lacks teacher Aids. The mothers to these
children have to come and take care of the children’s welfare. This
arrangement poses a challenge in that these mothers have other family
members to take care of back at home.
- The school also lacks furniture;
such as beds, chairs/desks and beddings. The children have to make do with
worn out mattresses and blankets that also serve as the curtains.
- The state of the toilets and
the bathrooms is appalling. They are not the type to be used by children
with disabilities. The children use makeshift bathrooms which do not have
roofs.
- There is no a kitchen and so
parents have to prepare meals outside, which is very cumbersome especially
when it rains.
- The store that they have is
small and congested, and the food is not properly stored thus posing a
health risk.
- There is also lack of
supportive devices such as; wheelchairs, standing and sitting aids among
others.
- The school also lacks
electricity and water. Due to this they have to use lamps that pose a
danger to the pupils due to their disability.
- The institution has heavily
relied on well wishers for food to feed the children since their annual
budget cannot cater for all the needs.
