Thousands turn up for cancer screening in Kisii as govt promises centre

Nurses check patients for blood pressure before undergoing cancer screening at the Gusii Stadium on August 25, 2916. More than 1000 patients were screened. PHOTO | ELGAR MACHUKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Maangi however urged the national government to increase the number of cancer treatment centres in the country so as to effectively prevent the high number of deaths attributed to the disease — estimated at 27,000 — annually.

  • Previously, the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital has been conducting cancer screening exercises for breast and cervical cancer. Breast being for both men and women.

  • More than 570 men and 510 women have been screened in the first of the two-day exercise, a number higher than the 1000 people target set by the Ministry.

Cancer patients in Kisii and neighbouring Counties have a reason to smile after the national government announced plans to construct a treatment centre in the region.

Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said the centre, to be constructed in collaboration with Arrow Bank of Development, will also diagnose and treat patients from Nyamira, Migori and Narok Counties. 

“The treatment centre will aid in early detection of the disease to facilitate fast treatment. This will also create jobs for our residents,” he said on Thursday during a cancer screening exercise at the Gusii Stadium. It was sponsored by Faraja Cancer Support Trust.

Mr Maangi however urged the national government to increase the number of cancer treatment centres in the country so as to effectively prevent the high number of deaths attributed to the disease — estimated at 27,000 — annually.

He also encouraged other County governments to invest in cancer screening machines.

Ms Sarah Omache, county Health minister revealed that one out of four patients diagnosed with cancer in the county dies.

“The cancer treatment facility will therefore help people suffering from this disease to access treatment faster as well as reduce deaths,” said Ms Omache.

She said it had been proven that diseases like cancer, blood pressure and HIV have greatly affected not only the economy of the county, but also that of the country.

“The ministry of Health needs to look at ways of handling such diseases because ill people cannot work effectively, and this affects our economy,” she said.

The Health Minister commended the great turnout by men for prostate screening.

Previously, the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital has been conducting cancer screening exercises for breast and cervical cancer. Breast being for both men and women.

She urged more people, especially men to come up for the screening exercise expected to end on Saturday.

“We have realized that more men than women have attended this exercise. Men should regularly come for prostate and breast cancer screening which will be done at KTRH even after this exercise ends,” she said.

More than 570 men and 510 women have been screened in the first of the two-day exercise, a number higher than the 1000 people target set by the Ministry.

The Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Enock Ondari said the hospital is facing major problems in cancer screening and treatment.

Dr Ondari said that lack of screening equipment and the low turnout by people coming for checkups was worrying.

“The hospital till recently did not have cancer screening equipment but even with the few equipment donated by the county government, not many people come for screening,” he said.

“Cancer is curable at an early stage and that is why I am encouraging people to come to the hospital for regular screening,” said Dr Ondari.