National Government Urged to Construct Cancer center in Western Region
A section of leaders Artists and stakeholders from health in Bungoma county has urged the government to build a cancer center in the Western region that will serve the patients from the region.
Led by Namalwa Chesoli founder of Hers Haven Initiative and renowned Luhya Musician Steve Kay they said most patients are struggling to seek services elsewhere since there is no equipped health facility.
“We urge the Ministry of Health to build at least one cancer center in the Western region since most of the cancer patients are struggling to seek services either in Eldoret or Nairobi which is expensive,” said Namalwa Chesoli founder of Hers Haven Initiative.
They spoke in Tongaren Sub-County during World Breast cancer day.
“The government should also increase funding in health that will help create awareness on cancer since patients. Many people have not been sensitized to cancer since it comes with stigma and people don’t want to be associated with those suffering. People think is a curse and patients end up dying,” said renowned Luhya Musician Steve Kay.
They said there should be Psychosocial support when a patient is diagnosed with cancer and caregivers should tell those diagnosed with cancer to accept themselves.
“Women and men should go for free cancer screening at least once per month this will help him or her to be treated if cancer is treated at an earlier stage,” added Namalwa Chesoli
They said cancer should be declared a National disaster.
“We want cancer to be declared a national disaster so that its treatment may be affordable everywhere and this will hugely reduce deaths caused by cancer. Oncology departments should also be set in every County,” said Steve Kay.
The cancer survivors however expressed the challenges they have faced during the journey with cancer calling upon the public to have regular check-up and early screening saying.
The Celebration ended with football match “kick out Cancer’ which was used to create awareness.
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