A Kiambu-based politician has urged the government to ensure that cancer screening and treatment is given the attention it deserves.
Gladys Chania says that the State should consider rolling out cancer screening and treatment through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for poor Kenyans to access these services.
"Can we have even NHIF for the sake of ordinary Kenyans cover cancer screening and treatment?" poses Chania in an interview with Hivisasa on Tuesday.
Chania who doubles up as a counselling psychologist notes that the cancer tragedy in Kenya is real, at least, if the recent deaths of high-ranking figures suffering from cancer are anything to go by.
"If UK, France, India patients are dying this fast, what about our Level Five patients? The UK and France reference seem to be on the late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso and Kibera MP Ken Okoth respectively who have died from cancer in the past one week. The late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore had also sought treatment in the UK," she explains.
Chania further urged the Ministry of Health through Parliament's Committee on Health to expedite the approval of bills aimed at tackling cancer.
"We have the Hon [Catherine] Waruguru cancer bill and lately the Gladys Wanga Bill; politics aside, let's implement these bills for the best of Kenyans," Chania appealed.
The Cancer Bill by Laikipia Woman Representative had proposed that cancer be declared a national disaster while Wanga's bill calls for the amendment of Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill 2015 which seeks to have cancer as a component under primary health care.
Kenyans and elected leaders have also called on the government to change its approach in fighting cancer.
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