In September 2024, our team in Tanzania facilitated a 5-day medical camp. Our annual camp is delivered in partnership with the Babati District Medical Office, and specialised healthcare providers, to provide primary healthcare screening, identification, treatment and referral services. It’s also an important opportunity to share public health messaging.

482 children and 977 adults accessed services at So They Can’s Medical Camp in 2024.

Our medical camps have 3 main goals:

1. Provide basic health care services to children

Over 400 children were seen by medical professionals during the camps. One of the main services was to identify and support children with special needs. 214 children were assessed for disabilities (visual, hearing, intellectual and physical). From the camp:

• 30 children, (aged 1 – 16 years) were referred to our partner Kafika House for corrective surgery for physical disabilities. 
• 15 children, (aged 2 – 13 years), will receive new assistive devices for conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. 13 children will receive tailor-made wheelchairs, and 2 children will receive gait trainers. A 25-year-old mother will also receive her first wheelchair, who following the traumatic delivery of her child, has become unable to walk. All devices will be provided by our partner, Kyaro Assistive Tech.
• Children assessed for visual, hearing, intellectual and in need of further treatment were referred to relevant hospitals.

34 teachers, who So They Can trained in 2023 to identify children with special needs, also participated in the camp. It was an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills with healthcare professionals on site.

2. Enhance Early Detection and Intervention

801 adults tested for HIV; 306 women accessed family planning services; 428 adults screened for diabetes; 521 adults tested for visual impairments; 44 girls (aged 9-14) vaccinated against cervical cancer; 883 people’s nutrition levels assessed; 43 units of blood (450ml) donated by community members. Through the portable ultrasound, that was donated to the Mamire Health Centre through So They Can,168 adults were screened.

The Babati District Medical Office provided the personnel and equipment to administer testing and treatment. For the first time Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics AIDS Foundation also participated in our camp, to provide tuberculosis and gender-based violence screening services, as well as family planning services.

3. Strengthen Community Health Collaboration

A representative from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) attended, to provide information to participants on the benefits of health insurance, including access to health services anywhere across Tanzania’s health centres. 16 people signed up directly.

So They Can will bring together local health stakeholders again in 2025, to conduct our annual medical camp in Q3.