By Juliet Jerotich
Residents of Emurua Dikirr constituency have issued an urgent appeal to county and national leaders to establish a cancer screening and treatment facility in the region, following a growing number of cancer-related deaths and limited access to specialized medical care.
The demand was voiced during a community fundraiser held in Kulonok village to support the family of Arap Siong’eito, a local resident who recently died from cancer. His funeral is set for Thursday, June 5.
Speaking at the event, William Maina, a respected elder from Murkan Location, called for the urgent upgrade of Emurua Dikirr Level 4 Hospital to include cancer care services.
“Our people are suffering because the nearest cancer treatment centres are far away. We are urging President William Ruto and Governor Patrick Ntutu to help equip our hospital to handle such cases,” Maina said. “It’s heartbreaking to lose lives that could have been saved if services were more accessible.”
Elizabeth Koiyogi, a resident of Sosiana in Transmara South, underscored the critical role of early detection in saving lives. She noted that many patients are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed to advanced stages.
“Many residents only realize they have cancer when it's too late,” Koiyogi said. “If we had a screening centre nearby, more lives could be saved through timely diagnosis and treatment.”
Koiyogi also urged the government to ensure that the recently launched Social Health Authority (SHA) includes comprehensive cancer care in its coverage.
“Cancer treatment is financially overwhelming for most families. The SHA should step in and ensure that patients are not burdened by costs, so they can focus on recovery,” she added.
The community believes that a local cancer treatment centre would not only reduce the financial and physical burden of travel for patients but also lead to faster interventions, better outcomes, and more lives saved.
Residents are hopeful that their collective voice will prompt both the Narok County government and the national administration to take immediate action in addressing the growing cancer crisis in the area.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.