Two governors from North Rift now want the national government to exempt tax on cancer treatment equipment and medicine.
According to Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos, they said this will largely reduce the cost of cancer treatment.
“The cost of treating cancer is expensive and many people cannot afford to pay for its treatment. The best and quick remedy the national government can do is to remove all tax levied on this equipment and drugs to save Kenyans from this killer disease,” said Mandago.
The two were speaking during the funeral of Mwalimu Walter-Gerald Kiprono Kimuron in Kapsiliot, Karona/Meibeki Ward in Uasin Gishu on Friday. He succumbed to throat cancer.
They said most patients could not afford to pay for radiotherapy and chemotherapy and urged the national government to remove the taxes which he said had pushed the cost of treatment high.
“The high cost of treating cancer patients has thrown many families into poverty since most of them have been forced to sell the property to meet treatment costs. The national government should also remove all tax associated with cancer treatment equipment and medicine to make its treatment affordable,” added Tolgos.
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