A cancer center has been established in Bungoma County to offer treatment and other related solutions to patients.
Cancer patients have been seeking treatment from Eldoret, Kakamega, Nairobi Counties and India that have well established centres.
Speaking during an inspection of the new facility domiciled at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr David Wanikina termed the move by Bungoma County government to set up the center positive saying that cancer and heart related diseases are the leading cause of death among Kenyans.
“The centre will ease the burden of patients moving too far off counties, and even outside the country to seek for services that will now be provided here,” Dr Wanikina said.
Dr. Wanikina noted that the cancer center is well equipped to offer high quality oncology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care services.
He asked residents who experience symptoms to visit the facility for early detection to allow for better management.
The county medical superintendent said Bungoma Referral Hospital has also established a good rapport with other leading cancer treatment facilities in the country for constant professional consultations and successful management of cancer cases.
“This facility has established a good rapport with Eldoret Referral hospital and International Cancer Institute so that all cases that cannot be handled here in Bungoma can be tackled in those facilities,” Wanikina said.
County CECM for Health and Sanitation Dr. Antony Walela, says the center comes with a huge financial relief to patients who have faced many challenges while seeking treatment outside the county and will drastically bring down mortality rates.
“Bungoma has lost many people due to cancer and heart related complications hence the reason we as a county government came up with this noble idea to help our people,” Dr Walela said.
“Cancer can only be managed while in the early stage. Please visit this facility as early as possible so that the situation is attended to while in stage one,” he said.
By Roseland Lumwamu
