Medics and leaders in Meru have appealed to the government to conduct thorough research to establish the cause of high cancer prevalence in the County.
St. Teresa Kiirua hospital CEO Sister Mary Agnes Nkatha, said many patients have been diagnosed at the hospital while on the fourth stage of the disease making it impossible to cure it.
Sr Nkatha, who spoke during fundraising event for Hope Against Cancer Initiative, lamented over the suffering caused by the disease.
The hospital is seeking to raise Sh25 million for cancer screening and awareness programme.
“We are seeking partnerships to conduct a thorough research to allow for a holistic approach in treatment. We are bridging the gap and standing to curb more deaths from the disease,” Sr Nkatha said.
Sister Nkatha noted that cancer treatment is a very costly affair hence the need for proper research.
She mentioned Kargi of Marsabit County and Kiegoi village in Meru county as villages with scaring numbers of patients diagnosed with cancer.
“We have been losing many patients in our Wards. This is the reason we asked ourselves what we can do differently to cater for the sick. Most patients were coming to the hospital in the last stage of cancer,” she said.
Kiirua hospital board members said they would roll out a robust screening programme for early diagnosis.
Sr Nkatha said about 700 patients have been diagnosed with cancer at their facility since 2022.
“We aim to strengthen the social and psychological department to sensitize and advise patients and their relatives. Our plan is to reduce deaths and suffering caused by cancer” she said.
Former Buuri Constituency MP and Kiirua hospital board member Gatobu Kinoti said the facility has set aside Sh5million to fight cancer.
