Machakos County first lady, Lillian Ng’ang’a, on Thursday launched Machakos County cancer awareness and screening programme.
Her campaign seeks to provide awareness, screening, build capacity for health practitioners.
Speaking in Masinga Model Sub-County health centre after equipping the hospital with the cancer screening machines, Ng’ang’a urged both men and women to take regular tests.
This was after she took a cancer screening test carried out by the medical practitioners as an example to the residents who had gathered to witness the launch.
“The county government has provided free cancer screening near our homes so that we can have regular check ups. I urge both men and women to visit this centre regularly because the test is free and available,” said Nganga.
The first lady further urged the young girls not to indulge in early premarital sex to avoid unwanted pregnancies that lead to dropping out of school.
She was accompanied by Machakos Health executive Naomi Mutie, her education counterpart Ruth Mutua, the county health chief officer Collins Silla, Machos Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairlady Francisca Mutinda and the county majority leader Joshua Mwonga.
Cancer is ranked as the third killer disease after infectious and cardiovascular diseases in Kenya.
This is the third cancer awareness campaign Ng’ang’a has launched in the county, others include matuu level four hospital and in Kathiani district hospital.