Siaya county referral hospital will begin chemotherapy treatment early next year in a bid to cut down on cost incurred by local patients to pursue treatment outside the county.
According to the county coordinator for non-communicable diseases, Peter Omoth, plans were under way, with the support from the county government, to have cancer patients have treatment at the facility and save them the agony of travelling to Kisumu, Eldoret or Nairobi for such services.
He was talking at the county referral hospital grounds in Siaya town where breast cancer awareness walk participants converged to mark the end of the cancer awareness month.
“We are looking forward to giving chemotherapy next year. For now, we have a hospice which supports the palliative care,” he said and urged the public to go for cancer tests.
Omoth called for join efforts to fight the disease that was depleting family resources.
Speaking earlier at Ahindi gardens while flagging off the awareness walk, Siaya Deputy County Commissioner, Robert Ng’etich urged Kenyans to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to enable them enjoy medical cover in case they are diagnosed with chronical diseases.
Ng’etich said cancer treatment was expensive and no family can manage it alone without support hence he needs for households to have medical cover.
He said SHIF had provision for critical illnesses which will help reduce medical bills greatly.
The DCC called on men to volunteer for breast cancer check-ups as they stand equal chances of getting affected just like ladies.
A cancer warrior, Peninah Buoga who has survived breast, brain and lung cancers, called for establishment of cancer treatment centres in rural areas to save the patients from spending a lot of transport, accommodation and treatment.
“My prayer is that we have chemotherapy here in Siaya. Going to Kisumu, Eldoret and Nairobi is hectic for us” she said.
The event was also attended by members of county assembly, Obiero Otare (Siaya township), Ben Adalla (North Ugenya), David Ababa Ragen (central Alego) and the director of housing and urban development, Jared Buoga among others.
By Philip Onyango
