By Roselyn Buchichi
IMLU’s strategic result area two focuses on enhancing access to holistic and quality services to victims and survivors of torture by providing comprehensive medical and psychological services, timely legal intervention, enhancing partnerships with professional networks and referral partner facilities in providing holistic services as well as establishing an effective referral and linkage systems thus encouraging healing and access to justice.
In order to achieve this strategic objective, IMLU is cognizant of the fact that it cannot work alone and has deliberately and proactively cultivated new partnerships, maintain and sustain healthy relationships with organisations of similar interests, the network of professionals, and identification and engagement with referral medical facilities and morgues through Memorandum of Understanding for service provision to ensure justice for survivors and victims of torture and related violations. IMLU’s work is anchored and derived from research, documentation, and data there is a need to have a strong network of professionals and partnerships with health facilities and morgues to improve forensic medico-legal documentation and secure evidence.
The second week of November 2022 saw IMLU scaling up its partnership with other two medical facilities in Western Kenya. This arrangement is to ensure that IMLU’s clients receive the highest quality medical care and treatment with proper forensic medical documentation to aid in access to justice. The facilities are NHIF accredited; fairly priced with a variety of services offered; popular with residents and have favourable accessibility to provide medical services to clients in the larger Western-Nyanza region and its environs.
The St.Consolata Hospital Kisumu started in 2007 in Kajulu (Mambo Leo area) of Kisumu town to provide medical access to the local community and the wider population in Kisumu. With a mission to be patient-focused in diligently providing medical service in areas of investigation, treatment, nursing and counselling in a patient-friendly environment. The hospital is a walking distance from the Kondele police station and has previously served as the first stop for injured victims. Currently, it has an in-patient capacity of 95 patients.
In addition, the Elgon View Hospital is an institution that offers all medical services including out-patient and in-patient services i.e. ophthalmology, dental, and dermatology, and radiology with a well-equipped theatre that carries all major and minor operations. Currently, a level 4 NHIF accredited facility progressing to a level 5 with a bed capacity of 74 patients, it offers ICU services and has an upcoming dialysis Centre.
IMLU’s Executive Director proceeded to sign the MoUs together with Dr. Amin the Director of Elgon view, Bungoma County and Mr. Mangala the Hospital in charge St. Consolata Hospital Kisumu. This is a great stride toward the advancement of healthcare service provision to our clients in these regions.