This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On Thursday, Governor Alfred Mutua opened the Machakos Cancer Care and Research Center at the Machakos Level 5 teaching and referral hospital, marking a significant milestone in the fight against cancer in Kenya.
The facility, the first of its kind in the country, is fully funded by the county government, with an initial investment of sh 40 million. It will offer screening, diagnosis, counseling, chemotherapy treatment, and management free of charge to residents of Machakos County registered in the Universal Health Coverage program.
Kenyan citizens within the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) region will also access special rates for cancer treatment services, while the rest of Kenyans will pay a subsidized price, the cheapest in the country.
“We want to ensure that cancer treatment is for all of us, not just a few. Treatment for cancer must not be a preserve for the rich in society,” Dr. Mutua said.
The governor emphasized the importance of making cancer treatment accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic status. “Cancer is a disease that does not discriminate on age, gender, place of birth, or career. However, its management and treatment in Kenya have favored only the rich,” he said.
Under the program, the county government will partner with hospitals and institutions of higher learning and research to attract experts from all over the world. “We will also utilize telemedicine for consultations between our doctors and experts in America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and our African continent,” he said.
The hospital will also work closely with development partners, the National Government, individuals, and experts to support the acquisition of additional equipment and skills improvement.
Machakos First Lady, Lilian Nganga, who has been conducting countywide cancer screening sessions for the past six years, expressed her delight at the ceremony. “Today I am very happy because we can do more than just diagnosing cancer. We can treat and manage the disease and also do it for free for thousands of our people who will no longer have to choose between food and cancer medication,” she said.
