Cases of cancer in Murang’a County have increased in the recent past and area residents have been encouraged to go for early screening of the disease.
Former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau who has been organizing free medical camps in Murang’a County since last year, said though the initiative has been tackling non-communicable diseases like diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure, they have now started doing cancer screening following soaring cases of the disease, mostly cervical cancer, detected in the past camps.
Speaking during a free medical camp at Gatura Health centre of Gatanga Sub County Thursday, Kamau said early screening of cancer can enable effective treatment of the disease.
“In the free medical camps, we mostly dealt with non-communicable diseases, but medical officers engaged in the exercise have raised alarm over increased cancer cases especially that of the cervix,” he added.
Kamau observed that there is a need to revamp public hospitals and ensure they have medication as patients are forced to buy drugs from private chemists.
“Arising from the medical camps we have been organizing, this being the fifth, we have witnessed a big number of people who need medication, hence the local health sector needs to be given the first priority.
The next county government which I believe I will be part of should ensure people are not left to suffer, while searching for the elusive medical care,” he noted.
The former Cabinet Minister also said he has launched a mobile clinic, which will be visiting various parts of the county to offer treatment and screening of common diseases affecting the people of Murang’a. The services will be free, he added.
Medical Officer in charge of Gatura Health centre Martin Kariuki said the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the region was quite high.
Speaking during the camp, a resident Alice Wairimu called upon the county government to stock hospitals with drugs.
Wairimu lamented that once they visit health facilities for treatment they are referred to buy drugs from private chemists.
“The little money we get is for buying food and is hardly enough for anything else. When one is referred to go and buy drugs it becomes a big challenge to many people,” she added.
Another resident, Bernard Mwangi equally said the incoming county administration should give priority to health matters, noting that many sick people opt to suffer in silence, since they have no money to cater for treatment.
“Those vying for various positions especially for governorship should have a clear plan on how to improve the health sector. People are suffering since they cannot afford medical expenses,” he noted.
By Bernard Munyao
