By Aoma Keziah
The Decker Medical Trust an organization that aims to promote sustainable, essential and low cost surgical care and to save lives, held a special health camp at Mbagathi District Hospital, aimed at raising awareness and providing essential medical services for Neglected Women’s Diseases (NWD). The health camp is part of Decker Medical’s ongoing efforts to address the severe gap in healthcare services for women, particularly those in underserved and low-income communities.
According to Brian Decker, Chairman Board of Directors Decker Medical, Neglected Women’s Diseases encompass a wide range of underfunded and under-researched health conditions that disproportionately affect women, including cervical cancer, reproductive health issues, and maternal mortality.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 800 million women globally lack access to essential healthcare services, leading to millions of preventable deaths annually. In low-income communities, such as those in Kenya, NWD contributes to one-third of all preventable deaths among women.
“Neglected Women’s Diseases remain one of the most critical yet overlooked issues in global healthcare,Through this initiative, we hope to not only offer essential services but also spark dialogue and action among policymakers, healthcare providers, and the wider community to prioritize women’s health.” Said Alexander Irungu, CEO, Mbagathi District Hospital
During the camp, Decker Medical Trust offered free health screenings, medical check-ups, and counseling sessions for women. Key services provided included reproductive health consultations, cervical cancer screenings, and maternal care advice. The event also featured workshops that educated attendees on the importance of early detection and treatment of NWD, emphasizing how timely intervention can save lives.
One of the camp’s key moments was a discussion with Peter Macon, Renowned American Actor and Global Advocate for Women’s Health,involving local healthcare providers and women’s health Advocates. The discussion focused on mobilizing support for NWD, highlighting how the lack of funding and research continues to affect millions of women in underserved areas.
Currently, only 20% of women in these regions receive regular reproductive health services, contributing to the staggering number of preventable deaths.
Decker Medical Trust’s health camp also aimed to mobilize policymakers and community stakeholders to prioritize NWD in national healthcare agendas. Despite progress in other areas of healthcare, women’s reproductive health and maternal care remain severely underfunded, particularly in low-income countries like Kenya.
In conclusion, , Decker Medical Trust reaffirmed its commitment to continuing these efforts, emphasizing that addressing NWD will require coordinated action across sectors to bridge the vast gaps in women’s healthcare services.
Through this health camp and future initiatives, Decker Medical Trust hopes to bring much-needed attention and resources to Neglected Women’s Diseases, ensuring that more women have access to the healthcare they deserve.
Mt Kenya Times