October is the breast cancer awareness and over the years, we have taken this month to encourage more women to get checked, as well as provide support to those affected by cancer.
This year, Barclays Kenya had an internal cancer awareness initiative dubbed ‘Wrap your head around breast cancer’ where women and men were expected to dorn pink head wraps in support of women who have cancer or survived it.
The forum brought together officials from the Ministry of Health, Medical practitioners, breast cancer survivors as well as caregivers.
As we know, cancer treatment is very expensive, and it is time the Government made health accessible to the average Kenyan. We have many organizations involved in the care and support of cancer patients, who also lobby to have health services made affordable to every Kenyan.
One of the organizations is the Kenya Network of Cancer Organization. They educate Kenyans on preventions and care and they also act as a bridge between organizations and the Government to intervene on matters poliicy.
We had an interview with Mr David Mukami, who is also an oncologist on the measurements the government has undertaken to ensure cancer patients are able to afford chemotherapy and other care needed for cancer patients.
What has the Government done to ensure cancer patients get enough support?
- The Government has installed at least one mammogram machine in every public hospital. This is a step towards reducing the number of women who are diagonised in later stages.. women are encouraged to take up a breast exam annually, especially if you are between the ages of 20 – 50 years.
- The Government also plans to establish four regional cancer treatment centres in Kisii, Nakuru, Nyeri and Mombasa to decongest the national referral hospitals and bring care closer to the people.
- The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) now provides financing for diagnosis and treatment of cancer that covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, CT scans, MRI and monthly clinic check-ups. This has markedly reduced the waiting time and long queues at Kenyatta National Hospital.. He advised more Kenyans to take up NHIF to access these health services.
- The Government has also partnered with organizations like KEMR, CDC, NGOs, Universities for clinical research priorities and capacity building; cancer registries and pathology; cancer awareness, community engagement and stigma; and national health delivery infrastructure and access to care. This is all in an aim to reduce cancer mortality, as evidenced by policies such as the National Cancer Control Strategy.
However, he notes that more needs to be done to reduce the time patients wait for chemotherapy, so more lives can be saved. He also noted that Government bodies and organizations need to do more in sensitizing the public on early detection, stigma around cancer, treatment as well as care for those affected.
The wrap your head around cancer event was eye opening, with survivors giving their testimonies, caregivers giving us tips as well as Doctors advising the audience on lifestyles that lead to cancer.
The event was in collaboration with Twatukuza Trust, an organization that has supported over 700 patients with cancer,. In an effort to raise more funds, they are having a three day concert this coming weekend.
In her speech, Caroline Ndungu , the Barclays Bank Marketing Manager said ‘ We have partnered with Twakutukuza trust to provide funds for treatment for cancer patients in the country. As Barclays Bank, we invest in societies’
If you want to support Twatukuza Trust efforts, go to their concert this weekend and follow them on @TwaTrust to find more ways to support them.
