A lobby group taking care of cancer patients celebrated World Cancer day celebrated by doing a birthday for a prostate cancer patient aged 104 years.
M’Mugambi M’Marete from Iraru South Imenti was diagnosed with prostate cancer at stage four in 2017.
His son Kinoti Mugambi urged the government to have free medical care for cancer patients to ease the burden to families.
“The drugs are too expensive and they are a big burden. The government should also invest more in research to find a cure,” Mugambi said.
Mugambi faulted SHA and said its too costly and many Kenyans cannot afford the rates.
“I want also to urge other patients who have cancer to embrace positive living and they should not give up,” Mugambi said.
Meru Hospice Coordinator Ms Gladys Mecee said Meru hospice was started in 2003 by Dr Batuin Kiringo to take care of cancer patients from Meru County and neighbouring counties.
Mucee said they currently take care of 502 patients and decided to celebrate World Cancer Day by doing a birthday to one of them.
“The youngest patient we have is one year and six months and has a colon tumor,the oldest patient is 104 years and has prostate cancer and we decided to celebrate the oldest patient Mugambi M’Marete from Iraru South Imenti,” she said.
She said cancer is not a life sentence and that patients suffering from cancer should not give up.
“Cancer is not a death sentence, we give patients medicine so that they can reduce pain and even if they are in stage four they can stay for a while and die a dignified death,” Mucee said.
