Embu: Embu County Government has received a major boost in provision of physiotherapy services following rehabilitation and equipping of a rehabilitation unit at Runyenjes Level Four Hospital. The only such unit in the county was rehabilitated and equipped by Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) through the support of German Cooperation. Additionally, the County received two new double cabin pickups to assist in ferrying patients who need services but face mobility challenges.
According to Kenya News Agency, the development comes as a relief given that Embu is ranked among the counties with the highest disability prevalence at 4.4 percent, which is above the national average of 2.2 percent, as per National Population Data of 2019 census. APDK Official Benson Agesa stated that this prompted their initiative to establish a rehabilitation center in the county to help restore and improve mobility for patients.
Agesa, speaking while commissioning the unit, said it will also offer occupational therapy and specialized medical interventions for both adults and young children born with physical deformities. The unit includes an orthopedic workshop for manufacturing and fitting orthopedic devices such as prosthetics, external fixators, and casts for immobilizing injured limbs.
Embu Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo, who was the chief guest during the occasion, noted that the unit comes as a relief to people living with physical deformities given the grim statistics. He urged parents of children with such conditions to take advantage of the unit to help restore their mobility and enable them to lead normal lives.