PARTNERS IN KENYA
Kenya Government – Ministry of Health (MOH)
The most important partnership for our clinic to be a success in this community is our work with the Ministry of Health (MOH). When MED25 first began researching the need for a clinic in the Mbita area, the first place they turned was the local director of the MOH. Throughout the assessment period, the Ministry of Health continued to assist MED25 in ensuring they were able to provide quality health care in this remote location.
Today, the MOH helps MED25 achieve our goal of providing quality and accessible health care to this community by providing:
- Immunizations to the MED25 Clinic to reach more remote communities
- Vitamin A injections
- Albendazole – a deworming medication which allows us to complete large outreaches to the schools and remote communities in the area
- Biohazard containers for safe deposal of needles
- All recording and reporting tools used daily at the clinic and submitted to the MOH every month
- Supervisory visits to ensure healthcare standards are maintained
- Training of our staff at local conferences and educational workshops
The MOH is key to our success and we are excited for all the possibilities this partnership will continue to bring in the future.
You can visit the Kenya Ministry of Health website at: http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/government/health.htm
MEDS
When MED25 International looked into operating a clinic within Kenya, it was very clear that there was one medical supply organization we had to partner with. Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies, or MEDS, is a non-profit organization working in Nairobi, Kenya. MEDS mission is to provide reliable, quality, and affordable essential drugs and supplies to clinics working in Kenya. Since March 2010, MEDS has provided the MED25 Clinic with access to drugs and laboratory supplies at a reduced cost and in a shorter timeline, allowing us to provide our patients with the lowest cost possible for their medications and laboratory tests. We are so thankful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to provide the community with access to the best medications and lab tests available.
You can visit the MEDS website at: http://www.meds.or.ke/
SWAP
The Safe Water and AIDS Project, or SWAP, has been a valued MED25 International partner since September 2010. SWAP is based in Western Kenya and engages HIV support and self-help groups to promote and sell water treatment and other health products as income generating activities. SWAP assists MED25 International in providing our patients with access to important health products at an affordable price, including mosquito nets and water treatments, which promote the well being of the community we serve.
You can visit the SWAP website at: http://www.swapkenya.org/
Tuungane Youth Project
Tuungane (which means lets join hands) Youth Project is an HIV intervention program being implemented by Impact Research and Development Organization, a Kenyan non-profit organization based in Kisumu, Kenya. One main aspect of the partnership between Tuungane and MED25 International, which started in June 2010, is providing the MED25 Clinic patients with access to voluntary, medical, male circumcision. Several types of research have found that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection by men during sexual intercourse with women.
While this topic has been a taboo discussion in the past, men in rural communities are beginning to engage in conversations about helping them prevent the spread of HIV. With HIV infection rates ranging from 36-70% in the communities we serve, we knew testing, counseling, and treatment for HIV patients in this community would be key to our success in improving the health of those we serve. Through our partnership with Tuungane and the direction of our community health workers (CHWs), we have been able to provide male circumcision to the community we serve.
For more information on how male circumcision impacts HIV transmission, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm
