About 100 children were screened for heart conditions during a free pediatric cardiology outreach camp held for two days at Garissa County Referral Hospital.
The screening initiative was organized in partnership with Coastal General Referral Hospital. It aims to improve access to specialized cardiac care for children across Northern Kenya and neighboring regions.
Medical teams conducted evaluations, including echocardiograms, to detect congenital heart defects and complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
Several children were identified for further treatment and have been referred for specialized care in Mombasa.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Garissa County Referral Hospital, Mr. Mahat Salah hailed the outreach as a major step forward in addressing gaps in pediatric cardiac services in the region.
“The initiative drew families from Garissa and neighboring counties, many of whom had limited access to specialist care,” he said.
Mr. Yunis Dekow, Chief of Communications at Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital said in the lead-up to the event, community health volunteers, religious leaders, and media platforms were actively engaged to mobilize attendance.
“Hospital staff were fully mobilized, with logistical preparations in place to ensure smooth patient flow throughout the two days,” said the communication chief.
Mr. Dekow said the patient registry has been established to support follow-up care and ensure that children diagnosed with heart conditions continue to receive necessary treatment.
According to the Head of Media Relations at Garissa Referral Hospital, the camp was a timely and life-saving opportunity for many local children.
He said many families across the region lack the financial means to travel long distances for treatment.
It is part of a broader effort to bring advanced medical services closer to underserved communities and to strengthen long-term partnerships aimed at improving child health outcomes in the region.
Pediatric cardiology services, the official noted, remain limited across northern counties such as Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, and Tana River, as well as parts of Kitui and Makueni, from where the hospital regularly receives referrals.
