Kisii County is set to develop a cancer diagnostic and treatment centre, after it received Sh977 m loan at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.
In a statement released by the governors’ office, the deal was sealed after the county signed the loan agreement between the National Treasury and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), witnessed by Governor James Ongwae in a ceremony held at Crowne Plaza, Nairobi on Wednesday.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said the establishment of the cancer centre in Kisii County will boost early detection of the disease, and reduce the cost incurred by patients who have to travel to Kenyatta National Hospital and even abroad for the service.
While thanking BADEA and the Saudi Fund for Development for their support, Governor Ongwae said the unique project will bring specialized services closer to the people in Kisii County and the South Nyanza region.
He also thanked the ministry of finance and President Uhuru Kenyatta for their support in the project.
He said Kisii County had been tasked to spearhead the health pillar in the Lake Basin Economic Bloc, noting that the initiation of this project was part of his efforts to transform the health sector.
The governor said he will fast track the implementation of this project, adding that he had prioritized health services and road infrastructure as flagship projects during his tenure.
The cancer centre will serve the South Western Sub region, whose total population is about 10 million people.