Cancer a killer in Northern Kenya

Ijara, Thursday, May 4, 2023

KNA by Mohammed Dahir 

Cancer prevalence rates in Northern Kenya is on the rise as the disease has continued to claim lives in the region. 

A mother of five children succumbed to the scourge after being hospitalized at the Garissa Referral Hospital for barely five months.

According to the deceased’s brother Abdillahi Basas Dagane he blames the surge on the disease to lack of public awareness.

“It is crucial for the Garissa County department of health to upscale sensitization on the rising prevalence rate of cancer at both individual and community level,” said Dagane. 

Dagane said it would be beneficial for the three counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera in the North Eastern region to collaborate and strengthen one referral center to enhance access to cancer screening and diagnostic services.

Improving investment in cancer diagnostic services in all care facilities, engaging with stakeholders to increase the capacity of health facilities to provide sustainable cancer care and improving the availability of care services can help in mitigating the adverse health and socioeconomic impacts of cancer.

Residents appealed to the Ministry of Health to spearhead an elaborate public awareness campaign to check the spread of the disease. 

Ijara Medical Officer of Health Dr. Abdi Malik Ibrahim said the government has plans to mitigate the spread of cancer in the region through public awareness campaigns and opening up a cancer care center in Garissa town. 

 Courtesy; K.N.A