NANDI COUNTY COMMEMORATES WORLD CANCER DAY
The County Government of Nandi joined the rest of the world in marking this year’s World Cancer Day under the global theme “I am and I will”.
‘I am and I will’ is the empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitments and represent the power of the individual action taken now to impact the future. The local theme for this years is ‘I am concerned. I will fight cancer.’
Annette, cervical cancer survivor
The theme emphasizes the need for individuals to harness and mobilize the solutions and catalyze positive change in cancer prevention, control and treatment. It is in line with the Ministry of Health transformative agenda which integrates provision of promotive, preventive and screening, early diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitative and palliative health care services in the fight against cancer.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths globally, with approximately 14 million new cases recorded each year.
Cervical cancer survivor Annette from Kapsabet town maintains that stigmatization remains a major challenge facing cancer victims.
Cancer Support Group
‘‘Have walked this journey and i know what it takes, in many occasions those next to me were avoiding all that i undertook including sitting next to me, we can not win the war against cancer with stigmatization on the rise.’’ she said.
Annette survived cervical cancer after getting early diagnosis and treatment.
CEC for Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Dr Philemon Bureti
She is now urging parents to take their female children for cervical screening saying cervical cancer is treatable at early stages and they should not shy away.
“Screening saves lives by detecting cancers early, often before they have spread and when more treatment options are available,” says Kenei, Oncologist at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.
Chief Officer for Social Welfare Scholastica Tuwei
He noted that the commonest cancers under review at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital are; cancer of the breast, cancer of gastrointestinal tract comprising of the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum, cancer of the cervix, lymphomas and leukemia and cancer of the ovary.
Kapsabet Ward MCA Hon. Fred Kipkemboi
Speaking during the event, the CEC Administration, Public Service and e-Government Triza Morogo who was the Chief Guest noted that early detection of cancer helps in treatment as well as reduce the costs involved in treatment.
Screening for various cancers (breast, prostate and cervical) for the general public was offered at the Hospital. This was done by doctors and other health professionals drawn from the referral hospital at no cost. The screening services are available at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Oncology Department.
Also present were the Kapsabet Ward MCA Hon. Fred Kipkemboi, CEC for Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Dr. Philemon Bureti, Chief Officer for Social Welfare Scholastica Tuwei and Kapsabet Ward Administrator Ms Grace among other senior county officials.