The Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong has called upon the National government to take the cancer menace seriously.
Speaking during three different funeral occasions in Teso South, Matayos and Butula Sub Counties over the weekend, Ojaamong noted with concern that the number of local residents being lost to the scourge was alarming.
“Cancer is becoming a leading disease in this country and therefore calls for quick intervention by the country’s leadership,” he said.
The governor stated that there was need for proper analysis of various ailments at early stages, arguing that treatment becomes very expensive to treat at late stages.
The Busia Deputy Governor, Moses Mulomi reiterated the need for early detection of life style diseases, including blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.
“The only cure for cancer is to curb its spread beforehand,” he said, adding that the move would reduce costs drastically.
Globally, cancer causes more deaths than HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria combined. In Kenya, cancer is now the third leading cause of deaths and second among non-communicable diseases amounting to 7% of the overall mortality rate.
By Salome Alwanda
