Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua launched a cancer centre at the Machakos Level Five Hospital on Thursday.
Speaking during the unveiling of the cancer centre, Mutua said that the new state-of-the-art facility will transform the lives of millions of residents as well as outsiders considering the rising cases of cancer deaths in the country.
Mutua, who doubles up as the Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement leader said that the ultra-modern chemotherapy facility will change the lives of the cancer patients. He also said that he is extremely happy following the launch of the facility in the region.
"Today Lilian and I are extremely happy to at last open the Machakos Cancer Care and Research Center, which is a first of its kind by the county government in Kenya. Cancer is a disease that does not discriminate based on age, gender and place of birth or career but its management has favoured the rich in Kenya. But the opening of this center in Kenya residents of Machakos County registered in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program will benefit from the project," he said in part.
He noted that patients can now visit the facility for cancer screening before they decide their next move.
Mutua, who has hinted at contesting for the presidency in 2022, ensured that all residents are covered under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme. The county government of Machakos has spent Sh23 million to acquire medical equipment for purposes of cancer screening.
The other partners in the construction of the facility are Bioventures for Global Health, Lions Club, Ampath, and International cancer institute, Kenyatta National Hospital, The Ministry of Health, National Cancer Institute and Path.
The new project has been unveiled at a time when cases of cancer deaths are on the rise. The death of Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso, Kibra MP Ken Okoth and Safaricom Boss Bob Collymore are just a few that shook the country last month.