First Lady Margaret Kenyatta Wednesday met with top officials of Roche Group who gave a strong commitment to strengthening initiatives to combat cancer in the country.
The Roche team met the First Lady ahead of next Monday’s launch of the Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation where the pharmaceutical company is a key partner.
According to PSCU, Roche chairman Dr Christoph Franz said his company is ready to collaborate with willing partners to ensure all cancer patients access medicines and care.
Senator Mugo, a former Minister for Public Health and Sanitation is a cancer survivor who has declared her status publicly to both create awareness and give hope to other people battling with the disease.
Roche Holdings is Swiss Multinational Health Care Company that operates worldwide under two divisions- Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Divisions.
Before meeting with the First Lady, the Roche team met with Senator Mugo where the senator also signed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding between the Group and the Ministry of Health where the Pharmaceutical firm agrees to strengthen the country’s war against cancer through capacity building, diagnostics and drug access to patients.
In the MOU, the Roche group has committed itself to provide the globally acclaimed cancer drug Herceptin at 50 per cent reduced price.
A full dose to cure cancer using the drug costs Sh 1.5 million per patient but Roche has committed itself to offer the medicine to Kenyans at half price.
Dr. Christoph said Cancer is not a death sentence adding that there is a very high recovery rate for those diagnosed early.
“Unfortunately, many people come for diagnosis when it is too late”, he said.
He told the First Lady his company is committed to make the drug available to everybody at an affordable price.
“Kenya is a friendly country. Making our medicines available will benefit many people in the country,” said the Roche chairman.
Swiss Ambassador to Kenya Dr Ralf Heckner said Kenya can be a regional hub and a destination for those seeking medical care for cancer.
He lauded the First Lady for “walking the talk” and giving leadership on matters of health through her highly successful Beyond Zero initiative.
During the function, Senator Mugo presented the First Lady with a bronchure detailing the aims and strategies of the Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation.
The First Lady is expected to launch it officially at the Kenyatta Convention Centre, Monday.
Other officials from Roche included Stakeholder Relations and Health Policy Manager Ms Jacqueline Wambua, Head of sub-Saharan Africa General Manager Markus Gemuend and Rajeb Bhimaraj, the Country Manager, South Africa.
They were also accompanied by Health Principal Secretary Dr Nicholas Muraguri.