More than 300 patients infected with Multiple Myeloma admitted at MTRH
More than 300 patients have admitted to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital after being infected with Multiple Myeloma.
Isaac Kokwo, caretaker of the patients said that the disease hides in the other diseases thus posing challenge of recognizing it.
“Multiple Myeloma, is disease that comes slowly, you cannot realize because it hides within other diseases, but the goodness is that the treatment has been found early. They will recover if they will follow what doctors instruct them. Currently we have we have a program that will reach out for them,” said Kokwo while speaking to the press.
He noted that the multiple myeloma mostly affects men of 40 years and above.
“Men may have challenges to their bodies because of their ages and also grasp, you find that it affects me due to their low immunities because they don’t eat well and don’t do fitness, “said Kokwo.
The caretaker has admitted the disease spreads very rapidly. Its signs and symptoms are like bone problems, low blood counts, high blood, nervous system i.e confusion, back pain and numbness, kidney Problems and infections such as pneumonia and other chest infection.
Multiple myeloma has affected most Uasin Gishu county.Other counties that have reported the such cases are Migori,Kakamega,Mombasa and other counties.
The experts have urged Kenyans to report to the health centres once they experience the signs and symptoms.
Multiple Myeloma is a blood malignancy arising from plasma cells in the Bone marrow. The disease accounts for almost 10% of blood cancers affecting people aged above 40 years; with a higher percentage being men.
In an elaborate session that included stop overs in Eldoret Town Centre, Dr. Aruasa gave a clear message to people to embrace measures such as exercising regularly and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
“Risk factors for Multiple Myeloma include age, gender, exposure to agricultural chemicals and petroleum products. We also see from clinical research that family history plays a role in shaping occurrence of the disease in some people,” said Dr. Aruasa.
The CEO also indicated in his address to the public that people working in petroleum related industries and farmers develop the disease, meaning exposure to some fumes and chemicals also play a role.
He acknowledged the support extended to MTRH by Ministry of Health- Department of Non-Communicable Diseases and National Cancer Institute.
He also singled out Moi University College of Health Sciences and the Consortium of North American Universities led by Indiana University for their critical role in research that continues to shape patient care in the Hospital.
By Robert Mutasi
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