Oloonkolin does not have a hospital where people can go when they are sick. There is a simple hut where people go in emergencies. The little hut only has one nurse (Veronica), no doctor, virtually no medical equipment, a very limited supply of medicines, and is very unhygienic.

Oloonkolin does not have a hospital where people can go when they are sick. The closest hospital is in Kilgoris, 60 kilometres from Oloonkolin. The roads are very poor and there is no public transport. Many people fall ill (typhoid, cholera, diphtheria) due to poor hygiene, a lack of good sanitary facilities and polluted drinking water. These diseases are treated rarely, or not at all.

The people of Oloonkolin eat a static diet, predominantly maize. They are therefore deficient in many vitamins. Vitamins are very important for good resistance to illnesses, the growth of children and the prevention of childhood blindness.

About sixty percent of children that die in Oloonkolin die during childbirth or from complications during childbirth. Labour often starts at home without the support of a medical specialist. Therefore, if complications arise during labour, it is often too late for both mother and baby. This primarily concerns young girls. These girls often also need counselling and treatment for trauma caused by genital mutilation, being married off at a young age, and pregnancy at a young age.

Childhood blindness and cataracts are very common amongst the people of Oloonkolin due to an unhygienic lifestyle (eye infections), a static diet (vitamin A deficiency) and a lack of good healthcare and optical care (screening and treatment).

Objective

• To improve the medical facilities;
• Too improve general public health;
• To reduce mortality caused by poor hygiene, as well as the mortality of mothers and children;
• To reduce unwanted pregnancies;
• To reduce HIV infection through advice and the promotion of testing;
• To put an end to tuberculosis in Oloonkolin
• To reduce vision problems such as cataracts and eye infections (Chlamydia trachomatis);
• To reduce population growth.
• To end the isolation of children and people with visual impairments.
• To reduce school and work absenteeism caused by sickness
• To save time, energy and resources used to care for sick family members
• To create employment opportunities; To promote economic development in Oloonkolin

Interventions

• The construction of a primary healthcare centre where people can attend consultations, have minor examinations carried out and receive first aid;
• The provision of basic medical care;
• The provision of pre- and post-natal care at the health centre. Midwives are being trained to assist with home births;
• Advice on the prevention of HIV;
• Access to condoms;
• Availability of tests;
• Advice and guidance on family planning;
• Advice and guidance for people infected with HIV;
• Improved medical capacity: In addition to a nurse and midwife, there will also be a Clinical Officer and in future, a GP will be available at the clinic. In addition, the range of medical care needs to be expanded;
• Vaccinations;
• Counselling and support for girls traumatised by genital mutilation (female circumcision);
• Eye examinations, the provision of glasses, eye surgeries, as well as advice on hygiene and healthy eating to prevent these problems in future;
• Instruction and training of medical staff in terms of hygiene, prevention and diagnosis of illnesses. Making and displaying of posters. The medical staff will then share this knowledge with the residents of Oloonkolin.