Police officers undergo medical checks

Police officers in Kisumu town yesterday underwent a free medical check-up provided by a local health facility.

Bliss Healthcare mounted the one-day camp at Kisumu Central Police Station, where the officers trooped to in their numbers after a harrowing week of a crackdown on motorists in enforcing Michuki rules.

The officers formed a long queue, some even forfeiting their lunch break, as the nurses did a number of tests. Most of them were not ready to speak to the media. Some wanted their blood pressure checked, others sugar level and some had dental problems as well as headache and stomach related ailments.

“This morning I was feeling like my pressure was up, I had such a hard time arresting some matatu drivers who tried to run away,” an officer said.

With a chain of over 80 clinics across the country, Bliss Healthcare has been targeting the officers in various counties for free medical tests. Its director, Raja Ganapathy, said policeofficers are in dire need of affordable medical care, just like the rest of Kenyans. “Officers in uniform encounter many stresses in their daily work, yet the medical challenges they face because of the nature of their job are hardly recognised. Among our other free medical camps that we offer countrywide, we decided to give particular attention to officers,” said Mr Ganapathy.

Recently, the healthcare provider pitched tent at the Nairobi County Police Dog Unit to test the officers for free. Bliss Healthcare Kisumu Regional Sales Executive Pingu Muhuri said the tests offered were basic. They covered a wide range of tests including blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood sugar and a dental check-up.