December 31, 2021
Residents in Lodwar, Turkana County, are sounding the alarm over the delayed disposal of asbestos roofing materials, which have been identified as a cancer-causing hazard.
According to David Logiron, a resident who has been leading the push for safe disposal, the county government allocated Sh4 million to remove asbestos sheets from roofs, but the materials remain at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital.
Logiron expressed concern that the presence of asbestos sheets near the hospital's wards could be contributing to the rise in cancer cases in the region.
During a medical camp at the hospital last month, more than 100 patients were diagnosed with advanced cancer, with most cases being Stage IV.
County National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) Coordinator Jacob Asebo stated that the asbestos sheets were to be removed by licensed handlers after a public sensitization process.
However, when contacted for comment, County Health Executive Jane Ajele and Chief Officer Augustine Lokwang declined to clarify on the concerns raised by locals.
