Visit to Marura Village Dispensary – an Ol Pejeta Health Project
Written by Jocelyn Murgatroyd
Ol Pejeta Conservancy helps with on going support of the sanctuary in Marura, as well as constructing various dispensaries and supporting the Nanyuki District Hospital with an AIDS awareness project. The research team visited Marura Village Dispensary in Marura near Nanyuki. The British army had started the construction of the sanctuary, and Ol Pejeta had finished the ceiling, floor, plastering etc. This had enabled the dispensary to be recognised by the government, which resulted in the government supplying most of the drugs. The government paid for the registered nurse whereas the community paid for the clerk and the watchman. Patients paid 40 KSh a month when they attended the dispensary, and a further contribution if they came in with a new illness. This money went towards paying the clerk and the watchman, plus purchasing psychiatric drugs, which saved psychiatric patients the expense and time involved in visiting another clinic.
The presence of the dispensary means patients no longer had to waste a day travelling long distances to Nanyuki hospital or going to the nearest dispensary 8 to 10 Km away. The dispensary was very well utilised, as by visiting that this rather than the hospital, they didn’t have to pay for transport, lunch, expensive drugs, subscription booklets and other expenses. People attended when symptoms first presented, leading to less complications and repeat consultations.
The clinic was encouraging parents to come in for anti natal clinics, HIV testing and bring their children in for immunisation. Joseph was teaching health education to patients in the waiting area, such as talks on preventing skin conditions.
I spoke to Joseph Mwaura, the Registered nurse at the next sanctuary, who was covering for Mrs Warigari Karari, who was taking exams. He indicated constructing a maternity room at the clinic was a priority, to allow women to give birth when the clinic was open, rather than travelling to the Nanyuki hospital. Some government money was available from the Consistency Development Fund, to build a new block, but they still wanted money for electricity, lab services and furnishing. Also on Joseph’s wish list was the need to improve the staff quarters, such as the cracks in the floor. The dispensary sometimes has to close for staff absences, such as collecting salaries from Nanyuki or due to staff sicknesses. Joseph suggested that they could employ a trainee, at a reduced wage, to help cover absences and reduce closures, as there are nurses who are trained, but still need experience. He suggested writing a proposal to CDF to pay for another nurse.
Joseph also suggested calling a Chief’s barazaa (opening meeting) and asking the community to consider whether the community thought the patient charge per month should be increased by 20 KShs. If they agreed, but were not quite able to make the amount, then Ol Pejeta might be able to make up the balance, to assist with paying for the nurse, clerk and other things. The committee were considering other ways of raising money such as cultivating gardens and selling greens and hay.
Joseph was aware of the various programmes Ol Pejeta is involved with, and appreciates the good relationship employed with the neighbours and the employment opportunities. He suggested various groups such as schools, farmers and womens groups visit Ol Pejeta and Sweetwaters to be further enlightened about animals and the importance of the environment. Visits will allow more people to fully see the sense of the conservancy. Joseph suggested that Ol Pejeta staff should arrange more meetings to enlighten the community.
Joseph wanted to be more involved with coordinating community projects including building maternity rooms and bore holes. Joseph wanted to act as an ambassador, combining his visit to schools for a deworming programme, with spending additional time at schools talking about the conservancy.
Overall the dispensary and other community programmes were a big hit and the above suggestions were only minor quibbles, to an excellent service.
