IMPACTING 144 LIVES,STRENGTHENING AN ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN-DAY 1 OF THE MEDICAL CAMP
Day 1 of the KTDA Foundation Free Medical Camp at Wandumbi Dispensary in the Gathuthi Tea Catchment Area marked a powerful and impactful start to this three-day intervention. The camp, made possible through the collaboration between KTDA Foundation, Gathuthi Tea Factory, the Ministry of Health – Nyeri County, Lions Eye Hospital & Vision Spring, Majani Insurance and Britam, reflects a united commitment to improving healthcare access for farmers. Of the 144 patients who attended on the first day, 96 were female and 48 were male. Among patients above 50 years, 61 were women and 33 were men—an indication of the increased health needs within our aging farmer population and the importance of targeted, accessible healthcare delivery.
The medical services offered were comprehensive, including intensive eye screening, RBS (blood sugar) testing, cervical and breast cancer screening, TB and lung examinations, physiotherapy, mental health assessments, HIV testing, and routine triaging through blood pressure and weight checks. Patients were screened, treated, issued medication, fitted with eye glasses and referred for further care where needed. The turnout and conditions identified serve as a wake-up call on the urgent need to consistently bring medical services closer to farmers—many of whom travel far distances or forego care entirely. A healthy tea farmer is a productive farmer, and with productive farmers comes stronger yields and improved tea revenue. This camp demonstrates that investing in farmer health is not only a welfare initiative but a key driver of long-term sustainability within the tea value chain.
The camp was officially launched by Director Catherine Mankura of the KTDA Holdings Board and attended by Gathuthi Tea Factory leadership including Chairman Hosea Kimamo, Vice Chairman Wilson Karanja and the Factory Directors. Their presence underscored KTDA’s dedication to farmer wellbeing. This initiative aligns strongly with the Health Pillar—one of the foundational pillars on which the KTDA Foundation is grounded—and reinforces our belief that sustainable tea production is rooted in the wellbeing of the farmer. By promoting accessible healthcare, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring farmers remain healthy and productive, KTDA continues to advance a sustainable future where thriving farmers translate into thriving tea communities.
Post by – Splendor Lwoyelo
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