Nyamira County residents will benefit from a cancer screening centre within the County, officially launched by the county governor’s wife, Emily Nyaribo on Thursday at Geseneno health Centre in Nyamira South Sub County.
Presiding over the function organized by Kenyan first ladies, Nyamira Governor, Amos Nyaribo, lauded the move by the County First Ladies Association (CFLA), to set up screening clinics in various counties in a bid to contain the spread and effects of the killer disease.
The Governor guaranteed of commitment from his County government to support the fight against cancer by allocating sufficient funds, which will be used in employing more specialized health workers and fully equip the facility to ensure that residents access all the necessary service in regard to the disease.
“My government shall set aside more funds to expand and equip the screening facility to facilitate easy service delivery to the people of Nyamira, in an effort to curb the spread of this killer disease which equally drains the affected economically,” the County boss assured.
Nyaribo urged the association to explore more areas of need, apart from cancer, and seek more support from partners and the County governments to improve the health status of the Wananchi in the entire country.
Speaking during the launch at Geseneno primary school grounds, Nyaribo called upon all residents in the county to utilize the facility and go for regular screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer disease explaining that, regular screening will enable medics detect the disease at an early stage and execute a treatment plan immediately thus stopping the disease from spreading to life threatening stages.
She further advised residents and teachers to allow qualified medics conduct a breast screening tests to school girls, when administering Human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV).
Makueni County governor’s wife, Nazi Kivutha who was also present observed that the agony faced by of poor citizens, while financing the treatment of the costly disease once diagnosed is unbearable. It leaves them economically drained, adding that this observation necessitated the initiative of setting up cancer screening centers across the country for accessibility of screening and treatment and reduction of cost.
Mrs. Kivutha encouraged the locals to seek advice from professional medics, and community health volunteers on matters pertaining the disease and further form habits of eating right meals which will prevent them from being exposed to attack by the disease.
Colleto Nyarinda, a cancer survivor in Nyamira, asked residents to commit themselves and go for cancer testing and screening and encouraged those living with the disease never to give up, but faithfully continue with their medication with strict adherence to the doctor’s guidelines to sustain their lives longer.
Other members of CFLA members present during the launch were, Priscilla Oparanya of Kakamega, Rosellah Rasanga, (Siaya), Hellen Obado (Migori), Dr. Mary Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) and Elizabeth Ongwae (Kisii).
The cancer screening Centre in Nyamira, was the 16th to be opened nationally in ongoing health projects initiated by County first ladies across the country.
By Deborah Bochere and Zachary Makori
