FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Over 1,200 Rural Kenyans Served During MMK’s Inaugural Medical Mission
January 23, 2012 – An eager group of 12 volunteer doctors and nurses traveled to rural Kenya for two weeks during early December 2011 to spearhead the first medical mission sponsored by Medical Missions Kenya and Hunger Relief (MMK).
The mission began in Gaitheri, a small village in the Muranga district and the hometown of MMK founder, Millicent Manyore. With villagers lined up at the clinic site early in the morning, the volunteers, two doctors and ten nurses, worked quickly and efficiently to first screen each patient for diabetes and hypertension, check vitals, and gather basic demographics. Patients were then given a more thorough examination before being treated for illness or given medications.
Rowena Hernandez, a registered nurse in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, describes some of the challenges the volunteers faced during the mission: “Who would’ve thought having someone place a temperature probe under their tongue could be such a challenge? A lot of people were scared of us poking their fingers to check their blood sugar (assessing for diabetes).”
Though the language barrier, cultural differences, and the villagers’ general apprehension regarding medical care proved to be daunting, the volunteers embraced the challenge and successfully treated over 1,200 Kenyans in Gaitheri and Wamba during the mission.
To learn more about the December 2011 medical mission and MMK, make a donation, or complete a volunteer application form, visit http://medicalmissionskenya.org/. MMK continually seeks assistance for much-needed medical equipment, supplies, and medications as well as volunteers for upcoming medical missions to rural Kenya.
About Medical Missions Kenya and Hunger Relief
Medical Missions Kenya and Hunger Relief (MMK), a registered nonprofit organization in the state of California, mobilizes medical volunteers for medical missions to underserved communities in Kenya. Volunteer doctors and nurses provide health care services, such as basic medical screenings, disease management and prevention, and wellness training.
# # #
PRESS CONTACT
The Arpan Group
Rina Shah at (703) 651-6670
or rina@thearpangroup.com
