The Baringo County Referral Hospital was on Saturday a beehive of activity as hundreds of people from all walks of life thronged the facility for free cancer and heart screening by medics from Aga Khan University Hospital assisted by their colleagues from other top hospitals.
The one-day event under stewardship of Aga Khan’s Dr Peter Ogutu was conducted by a team of 18 medical personnel from the University’s hospital, which is one of the leading cancer treatment centres in Kenya.
The Baringo governor, Stanley Kiptis witnessed the noble exercise mobilized by Baringo Central Legislator, Joshua Kandie, which saw about 700 people attended to by close of business at 7:30pm.
Governor Kiptis lauded the hospital’s administration for considering Baringo in their programme, saying it marked the start of a partnership between the county referral hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital.
Kiptis said those found to have the diseases will be taken direct by the county Ambulances to the Nairobi based Aga Khan University hospital where they will be treated at low cost provided that they have NHIF cover.
“It is very expensive to treat cancer and heart diseases especially when it is discovered at late stages. If patients have NHIF super cover it will be cost effective to meet the exorbitant medical expenses,” he said.
Kiptis who was accompanied by Kabarnet ward representative, Ernest Kibet and county health officials among them Chief Officer for health, Dr. Gideon Toromo encouraged the locals to have early screening to detect all terminal ailments that include cancer noting that late medical intervention was too costly and may not safe lives.
By Vincent Miningwo/Christopher Kiprop
