February 4th was World Cancer Day and a lot took place in celebration of this day across the country.
At Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi, both public and private corporates signed a declaration against cancer. You can sign the online declaration to be part of the fight against cancer.
During the event, Deputy President’s wife, Mrs. Rachel Ruto urged the health sector, both public and private, to avail basic screening to Kenyans especially those in rural areas and in informal settlement so that lives can be saved.
The initiative leader, Kenya Medical Association, and its partners rolled out a Ksh. 50million initiative to enhance cancer awareness and management dubbed ‘Bila Cancer Society’ (a cancer-free society).
Coast Hospice observed the day through interviews with Baraka Fm in Mombasa where patients and the hospice team shared their cancer journey.
The Star newspaper shared a story of one Dan Obura who the reality of cancer (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) dawned on him at an early age of 12 years.
The Standard highlighted a study conducted at Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2005 and published in the Journal of African Health Sciences that concluded esophageal cancer as the highest form of cancer diagnosed at the facility, ahead of cancers of the cervix, breast and blood that were previously thought to be more common.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital resumed kidney transplant for two patients after suspending it for more than a year with the government promising to reduce the cost of such operation. 70 to 100 patients undergo dialysis at the hospital every month.
Events leading to the celebration
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations held a daylong cancer screening event at Afya House parking grounds where over 500 employees and their relatives participated.
Kenya Cancer Association Vice Chairman Dr David Makumi and Doctor Izaq Odongo from the Ministry of Health had a breakfast talk show with Sofia Wanuna at Kenya Television Network (KTN) to explain the cancer situation in Kenya and the possible solutions.
Here are the fact sheets about the cancer myths that we endeavor to debunk so that everyone has the right knowledge about cancer.