Early cancer screening has been recommended especially for men in Baringo County in order to save their families from problems associated with the third leading killer disease in Kenya.
County First Ladies Association (CFLA) Vice Chairperson Aliamitu Jettani said the viral disease has become a burden to most families pointing out that it was high time men accompanied their wives for cancer screening.
Jettani who is the Marsabit Governor Ali Mohamud’s wife noted that prevention, screening and early detection of cancer will reduce the burden of seeking treatment at advanced stages of the disease which is very costly.
“Our residents need to make screening a daily habit because with early detection, we can save so many lives,” she said.
The Vice Chairperson of CFLA led her 15 counterparts in launching the inaugural empower cancer clinic for Baringo at Kaptimbor Dispensary Grounds in Kabarnet town.
The Marsabit County Governor’s wife flanked by her Baringo counterpart Ivy Kiptis encouraged parents to take their children aged between 11 to 14 for a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination which prevents cervical cancer.
She disputed claims that the HPV vaccine is not safe saying that the misinformation is being peddled by people who do not mean well for their health.
Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis who graced the occasion noted that breast, cervical, esophagus and prostate cancers are the most prevalent type of cancer in the county.
The Baringo County boss said his administration will expand the oncology clinic to become a fully-fledged cancer centre in the coming years so as to offer chemotherapy and palliative care services to patients referred from other health facilities within the county.
Deputy Governor Jacob Chepkwony lauded the initiative by CFLA saying it will boost medical care of people in North Rift region who rely on the far flank Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret which is the only public health facility offering specialised cancer treatment.
Chepkwony stated that cancer management is a very costly affair that makes medical insurance bodies to be reluctant in giving cover to the patients and thus individuals must avoid all these shortcomings by going for early cancer screening.
Bungoma Governor’s Wife Caroline Wangamati in her remarks mooted for a blood bank facility to be established in the county saying that it will assist patients in need of blood transfusion.
Mrs Wangamati said services of medics need to be supported by availing blood banks in their respective facilities in order to save lives of expectant mothers and all critically ill patients.
Cancer Survivor William Boruett said patients affected by cancer should not be stigmatised by members of the society who are expected to support them by showing love.
Mzee Boruett advocated people to consume balanced diets and regular exercises to ward off lifestyle diseases which of late has brought many families down to their knees economically.
By Wycliffe Kiprop and Joshua Kibet
