The residents of Kisumu yesterday joined the rest of the world in celebrating the annual World Cancer Day marked on every 4th of February.
The event was started by a walk from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to the West End Mall where screening exercise for all cancer conditions was performed with the aim of creating Cancer Awareness among Kisumu residents.
Cancer survivors, patients and well-wishers, including Aga- Khan hospital, KMTC students from Lake Victoria campus, county health officials and Kisumu hospice joined the walk as the band led the team, slogans and encouragement renting the air.
Speaking during the event, the county clinical officer Mr Charles Ngwalla noted that early detection of cancer helps in treatment as well as reduce the costs involved in treatment.
He also affirmed that the county government intends to work together with all the stakeholders to ensure Radiotherapy can be accessed easily within the county, adding that Radiotherapy services will minimize patients' movement in search for care.
“With the Universal Health Care, services will be brought closer as a sign to this commitment." Added Mr Ngwala.
According to Dr Alfred Mayan from Aghakhan hospital, healthy living revolves around a balanced diet, exercise, regular checkup that will help in the detection of upcoming infections.
He urged the public to avoid drug abuse as this leads to bad health. He went ahead to encourage the general public to embrace daily exercise to keep fit.
Also present were stakeholders from the central bank of Kenya, Kenya Revenue authority, KenGen, Kenya power and lighting company and the Tumaini La Maisha leadership initiative. Nationally, the celebrations were held at Meru county.
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