Nana Kilemi founded the Needy Cancer Health Initiative (NCHI) because she knows too well the emotional, physical and financial distress that comes with a positive cancer diagnosis.
According to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), over 800,000 new cancer cases and 500,000 deaths were recorded in Sub Saharan Africa in 2020. In Kenya, cancer claims 27,000 lives annually with Meru County being among the most hit by the cancer scourge.
In August 2022, Nana was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital after about two years of ignoring the signs.
“In August 2022, my breast developed a dimple on a lump that I had lived with since 2020. A mammogram was done and my worst fear was confirmed, kicking off my treatment journey,” Ms Kilemi recounts.
Besides the psychological trauma that came with the news, Ms Kilemi had another difficulty to surmount – raising money for her treatment.
Luckily for her, the family came through to raise the much needed money for mastectomy and chemotherapy sessions.
“I was jobless, without an income and with children to take care of. I could not raise the money needed for my emergency treatment,” she says.
After rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Ms Kilemi is now a cancer survivor who has dedicated her life to saving more lives.
Due to her frequent hospital visits for therapy and checkups, Ms Kilemi did not fail to notice that many patients were not honoring doctors’ appointments.
“Out of burning curiosity, one day I asked one of the doctors why I see so many patients at the clinic yet few come back for further appointments.”
“She was clear that cancer treatment comes with a heavy financial burden beyond the reach of many families.” Nana says.
The NCHI founder adds, “Deep inside, I felt I needed to make an effort to help other cancer patients. After my chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, my mind was still fixated on the conversation with the doctor.”
Besides the high cost of treatment, cancer patients are required to take specific foods which are mostly sold at a premium in the markets.
Nana says the financial distress is worsened by the fact that many patients lacked the National Health Insurance Fund cover.
“First, I realised NHIF covers quite a number of cancer related diagnostics and treatment. Currently, yearly remittance for an individual is Kshs 6,000 translating to Kshs 500 per month. However, to many struggling households they cannot afford to raise this amount,” she says.
Nana started by mobilizing friends who could contribute Sh1,000 per month towards acquiring an NHIF card for needy cancer patients.
With the transition to Social Health Insurance Fund (Shif), Nana has been vocal in calling out the government over delays in authorizing treatment of cancer patients under the new Shif cover.
NCHI was born out of the medical cover initiative, as an organisation focusing on uplifting cancer patients by providing financial assistance, medication access, advocacy among others.
She says NCHI has been running a campaign where well-wishers contribute Sh100 every Friday to help needy cancer patients.
The initiative has grown to include an annual NCHI charity run with the inaugural event set for October 19 at Meru University.
The NCHI Charity run poster
The charity run is meant to raise funds to support the construction of a palliative care center for cancer patients in Meru County to cater for extremely vulnerable cancer patients.
She is a vocal advocate of routine checkup and healthy living for prevention and early detection, through social media and mainstream media.
“I have online engagements dubbed ‘Voice of hope’ where I am sharing my story besides teaching about cancer. This is meant to create cancer awareness and encourage the sick that cancer is curable,” Nana says.
In her cancer treatment journey, she says a positive attitude and a strong support system is vital for the recovery of cancer patients.
