Over 3,000 residents in Taita Taveta county accessed free medical services during a health camp organized by the M-Pesa Foundation in collaboration with Zuri Health and the county government.
The camp, which took place on Saturday at Moi Stadium in Voi, offered a wide range of critical services including cancer screenings, diabetes and blood pressure checks, eye and dental care, reproductive health services, and general medical consultations.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Gifton Mkaya, acknowledged the increasing disease burden in the region, specifically the high rates of cancer and hypertension among low-income residents.
“The major challenge we face in this county is the disease burden. The number of cancer and hypertension cases is rising, but most of the affected individuals cannot afford even basic transportation to seek medical care or diagnosis,” Mkaya said.
The CECM stressed on the need for more frequent health camps and accessible healthcare to avert the situation.
The M-Pesa Foundation’s health initiative is focusing on counties with the highest burden of cancer, including Taita Taveta, Murang’a, and Homa Bay, in recognition of the 2024 Cancer Awareness Month.
“We won’t just leave patients after the camp. Those diagnosed with conditions will be monitored through follow-ups to ensure they receive the necessary treatment,” George Gathua, Manager of Finance at the foundation, said.
Gathua also mentioned that patients diagnosed with diabetes would be supplied with medication for up to three months.
Dr. Buka Otieno from Zuri Health emphasized the importance of raising public awareness, especially in rural areas where cancer is often misunderstood and attributed to superstitions such as witchcraft and curses.
“The goal of this camp is to address the knowledge gap. In many rural areas, people are unaware of what cancer is and often associate it with witchcraft or curses,” Dr. Otieno explained. “Lack of public education has been a significant obstacle in the fight against cancer. Without addressing these misconceptions, more lives will be lost.”
Dr. Otieno further urged the government to invest in community health workers, as they play a critical role in disseminating accurate information and raising awareness on health matters such as cancer.
Oncologist Dr. Tracy Rura highlighted the necessity of early detection, especially for breast and prostate cancers, which are the leading cancers in women and men, respectively.
Dr. Rura added that cancer is now the third leading cause of disease burden in Kenya, following infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
One of the beneficiaries, Focus Wambua, a 42-year-old skin cancer patient from Taveta, shared his gratitude for the free services, explaining that he had resorted to herbal remedies due to the high costs of medical care.
“This camp has been a great help as I couldn’t afford hospital fees which are very high,” he said.
Cancer survivor Esther Mwachofi recounted how her initial symptoms were misdiagnosed to be pregnancy and later on, the discovery of multiple tumors in her fallopian tube, ovaries, and womb.
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This eventually resulted in the removal of her womb. Despite these challenges, she successfully completed her treatment and is now cancer-free.
“Cancer doesn’t mean the end of life. I was diagnosed at 23, but with proper treatment and support, at 37, I’m healthy and free from cancer. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these free camps to check their health status,” Mwachofi said.
In response to the growing cancer cases, the county government of Taita Taveta is in the process of constructing a cancer treatment center at Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, with Health Executive Mkaya confirming that the project will be completed within 12 weeks.
By Michael Oduor | oduormichael2021@gmail.com
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