This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced a series of measures to combat cancer in Kenya, including a plan to increase the country's budgetary allocation for cancer treatment.
The President made the announcement at the memorial service of the late Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Cherono Laboso, who succumbed to cancer, held at Bomet Green Stadium in Bomet town on Friday.
According to the President, the government will increase the number of chemotherapy and radiology centers across the country to make the services more accessible.
He also announced plans to establish three new radiology centers in Garissa, Mombasa, and Nakuru, and 10 more chemotherapy centers in various counties.
The President further disclosed that the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret will be upgraded to become a center of excellence for cancer treatment and training for medical professionals.
He also announced the opening of the Kenyatta University Hospital next month, which will have a facility for treating cancer, and the establishment of two more centers of excellence for cancer treatment in Kisii and Nyeri.
President Kenyatta also revealed that the government is currently training 20 cancer doctors, 28 clinical officers, and 31 radiologists to enhance the human resource capacity to deal with the scourge.
He assured the residents of Bomet County that a chemotherapy center will be set up at Longisa Hospital by September this year.
As the government works to increase access to cancer treatment in the country, the President advised Kenyans to pay special attention to their lifestyles, especially the foods they consume, noting that cancer is largely a lifestyle disease.
He urged Kenyans to reduce the intake of processed foods and go back to eating traditional wholesome foods.
