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Cancer campaigns for county teams

cancer

Annual new cases are estimated at 40,000. photo | jeff angote

The Ministry of Health and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is rolling out a nationwide campaign to sensitise county health management teams on cancer treatment.

The move follows past efforts to provide infrastructure, equipment and medicine for cancer patients.

Cancer is one of the major non-communicable diseases in Kenya and ranks third as a cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that there are 40,000 new cases annually and approximately 28,000 cancer related deaths every year.

“We were keen to support the dissemination at county level of the National Cancer Control Strategy; we believe that the knowledge sharing and discussion will help align priorities and focus resources, strengthening cancer care where it is providing the highest value,’’ said Janssen Pharmaceuticals country manager Vittorio Sereni.

As part of the Government’s commitment to fast-track the national rollout of the National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022, plans are underway to improve the infrastructural capacity of Kenyatta National Hospital and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital to provide cancer care.

“The government is committed to reducing the morbidity and mortality from cancers, and to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment,” said Anne Ng’ang’a, the head of the National Cancer Control Programme at the Ministry of Health.

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Speaking at the National Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) 2017-2022 Regional Dissemination workshop for the Rift region in Nakuru, Dr Ng’ang’a indicated that there are plans to improve the infrastructural capacity of the two referral hospitals.

“Besides increasing the number of facilities providing comprehensive cancer services, the Cancer Control strategy also advocates for the strengthening of partnerships to streamline supply chain systems,” she said.