Trans-Nzoia First Lady Calls For Multidisciplinary Food Donation For Palliative Care Patients
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Trans Nzoia’s First Lady, Lillian Natembeya, has made a heartfelt plea for a multidisciplinary effort from various stakeholders to address the issue of food shortages among patients in palliative care.
During a gathering with cancer patients at her Kitale’s Milimani office,Mrs. Natembeya expressed her concern about the inability of many palliative care patients to access a balanced diet.
She urged the Kitale Business Community, local farmers, non-governmental organizations, as well as national and county governments to collaborate and donate food to these patients.
Mrs. Natembeya led the patients in commemorating this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and emphasized the importance of showing love, hope, and a positive attitude to help these patients recover.
She said, “We need a united front to ensure that patients under palliative care receive the nourishment they deserve.”
she noted that her office is collaborating with the department of health to avail a cancer center aiming to provide affordable treatment to cancer patients.
Currently, many patients seek treatment in Eldoret, incurring huge costs for their families.
She added, “It’s time to take action and establish a center that will cater to the needs of these patients, reducing their financial burden.”
Present were Health Chief Officer Dr. Emmanuel Wanjala, Director Dr. Inginia Rachael, and Fridah Lunani, a palliative care nurse.
Dr. Wanjala disclosed that Mount Elgon Hospital would be transformed into a cancer center, which should help reduce treatment costs for patients.
He also shared that the health department intends to relocate most health services from Kitale Referral Hospital to Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, with the former continuing to offer laboratory, mental health, and eye care services.
Dr. Wanjala stated, “Our goal is to make healthcare services more accessible and affordable for the people of Trans Nzoia.”
The chief officer emphasized the county’s investment in primary healthcare to focus on prevention, early disease diagnosis, treatment, addressing lifestyle-related diseases, and promoting a healthy diet.
He added that the Natecare initiative, championed by Governor George Natembeya to pay for NHIF coverage for vulnerable individuals, has allocated 10 million shillings for this purpose and will extend support to some cancer patients
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