KAWE, Nairobi County Step Up Disability Medical Assessments to Boost Access in Nairobi
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Persons living with disabilities in Nairobi are set to benefit from expanded medical assessment camps aimed at easing registration and access to services, thanks to a joint initiative by the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE) and the Nairobi County Government.
Medical staff drawn from county facilities in Mama lucy, Kasarani, Embakasi North and Kariobangi on Tuesday conducted a special disability medical assessment exercise, focusing on supporting individuals to register with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Michael Mwangi, an Occupational therapist coordinating disability assessments in Nairobi said the county government has partnered with the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE) to provide free medical assessments.
“Today alone we have registered over 160 people, and the process is still ongoing, Our aim is to ensure persons with epilepsy and other neurological conditions can access services without struggling through long queues”, stated Mr. Mwangi.
“All the employees here today, myself included, are from the county government We’ve organized this team to ensure people with disabilities are medically assessed and registered with NCPWD. Once registered, they can benefit from access to essential medication and social support, which helps them function as normally as possible,” He said.
To improve inclusivity at health facilities, Nairobi County has introduced special service desks to assist persons with various impairments. For instance, hearing-impaired patients are supported by interpreters who guide them through the medical process until completion.
Jane Wamugu, the NCPWD Regional Coordinator for Nairobi County, stressed that epilepsy has long been recognized as a disability, However she noted that limited awareness has denied many patients the chance to benefit from government support.
“Epilepsy has been diagnosed as a disability since the inception of the Council,The real challenge has been low awareness That is why we are reaching out to ensure persons with epilepsy do not fall through the cracks”, Ms Wamugu said.
She further emphasized that to access these services, registration is now fully digitized through the government’s e-Citizen platform where applicants are required to present an assessment report, identification documents and a passport-size photograph.
Additionally, the awareness drive has already seen more people including elderly patients, step forward for registration. Wamugu revealed that even a 97-year-old patient was recently enrolled, showing that age is no barrier to accessing services.
“The Council is working closely with community health promoters, sub-chiefs and local leaders to reach families at the grassroots”.
At Tuesday’s camp in Kariobangi, more than 160 individuals had already been registered, with assessments continuing throughout the day. On average, officials report that such outreach exercises attract no fewer than 100 people per session.
The county official emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness and build stronger collaborations.
“We are creating awareness through partners like KAWE and aligning with NCPWD to reach more people across Nairobi These medical camps are not one-off events; they are continuous, ensuring that those with special needs are not left behind,” she noted.
Epilepsy advocates stressed that such interventions are crucial for reducing stigma, ensuring timely access to treatment and improving quality of life for affected individuals.
The program is not limited to Kariobangi Similar medical assessment camps were held earlier this week at Ngondro Health Centre in Kamulu, Kasarani constituency and are scheduled to continue in Kamukunji later in the week.
As the disability assessments continue, county officials expressed optimism that more Nairobi residents living with disabilities will be successfully registered and gain access to the government benefits and health services they need.
