Catholic Medical Mission Board to construct, equip KSh5Million Cancer Center in Kitui

THE Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) will construct and equip a cancer centre at Kitui County Referral Hospital (KCRH) at a tune of KSh5 million.

Kitui County Chief Officer for Medical Service Dr Benson Musyoka (left), Director Medical Services Dr Allan Owino, CO Public Health and Sanitation Lynn Kitwan, Director Health Administrative Services Francis Musyoka. MWINGI TIMES/Martin Mwengah

Zipporah Mbuthia, the Program Coordinator said the board has allocated KSh5 million to build and equip a cancer centre at KCRH.

Kitui County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koki, hailed CMMB for this noble initiative "which has come at a appropriate time, because this is a service the people of Kitui have keenly waited for long".

Koki, further reiterated cancer has been a threat to our society: “Cancer is really a challenge to many people and even if it comes to screening, people come for screening without realizing they are already sick” she noted. 

The ministry boss added that cancer was treatable but it depended on when it was diagnosed. 

“Cancer is treatable, but it depends on when it is diagnosed. Therefore, there is need for health practitioners to educate and create awareness to our people about it.  Let’s all develop a culture of visiting healthcare facilities for medical check-ups and screening.” Koki emphasized. 

On medical insurance, the CECM made an appeal to every Kitui resident to register for a medical insurance, to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure in times of unexpected and high medical costs.

Chief Officers, Medical Services Dr Benson Musyoka, Public Health and Sanitation Lynn Kitwan, Drugs and Medical Supplies Aggrey Kamba and all directors visited KCRH to identify where the centre will be constructed.

The construction and equipping of the cancer centre is expected to end in September this year.

STORY By MARTIN MWENGAH, Ministry of Health and Sanitation