Uhuru, First Lady to lead war on cancer
Some of the African First Ladies posing for a picture with President Uhuru Kenyatta after he opened a three-day Stop Cervical, Breast & Prostate Cancer in Africa Conference (SCCA) at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on July 20, 2015. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The International Atomic Energy Agency, which regulates radiation use has given the ministry of Health a 20 per cent discount on a machine that will be installed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
- The President was on Monday awarded Africa Goodwill Ambassador for Women and Children’s Health while his wife was elected the new chairperson of Forum of Africa First Ladies/Spouses Against Cervical, Breast and Prostrate cancer.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret have been picked to lead the war against cancer in Africa.
The President was on Monday awarded Africa Goodwill Ambassador for Women and Children’s Health while his wife was elected the new chairperson of Forum of Africa First Ladies/Spouses Against Cervical, Breast and Prostrate cancer.
Mrs Kenyatta takes the mantle from her Namibian counterpart Monica Geiongos.
“Your role will be to engage presidents and heads of states and government to support development of sustainable and comprehensive anti-breast, cervical and prostrate cancer strategies,” Princess Nikky Onyeri, the co-founder and director of the forum said on Monday.
She added: “You will also be expected to mobilize resources to fight cancer.”
Princess Onyeri also urged the President to take the campaign against cancer to the African Union and the United Nations.
And Mr Kenyatta was all smiles as he was adorned with the sash signifying his new role.
“I pledge my support in addressing cancer in Kenya and Africa in general,” he said.
Mrs Kenyatta assured her colleagues of her dedication in her new role. “It is a about time we went back to our roots and eat natural foods.
This will help in this war,” she said.
This came as Kenya’s effort to improve access to cancer treatment got a boost after an organisation subsidised the cost of vital equipment.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, which regulates radiation use has given the ministry of Health a 20 per cent discount on a machine that will be installed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
This reduces the cost of the machine to be Sh160million from Sh200million, the Director of Medical Service Nicholas Muraguri said.
“The machine, which will be set up in the Cancer and Chronic Disease centre this December will revolutionise diagnosis and treatment of most cancers,” Dr Muraguri said.
He added: “The all-in-one machine will reduce the huge waiting list at Kenyatta National Hospital for patients seeking the life-saving radiotherapy from the two machines at the facility.”
This is a reprieve to patients who have to queue at KNH seek treatment in private hospitals.
Radiotherapy attacks cancer-causing cells by depositing energy that injures or destroys their genetic material.
