Monday 11 November 2019

Embu County forges ahead in the war against cancer

Health CECM Dr. Joan Mwende (center) speaks to the press during the cancer screening exercise at Runyenjes Level 4 Hospital. PHOTO: Martin Fundi

Embu County forges ahead in the war against cancer

By Jeremiah Mutuanga


Health experts have raised concerns that Embu men do not seek medical attention from hospitals leading to late diagnosis of diseases.

Runyenjes Level 4 Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr. Samson Iliwa said that Embu men are generally wary of hospitals and contemptuous of health checkups.

While speaking at the health facility over the weekend during a free cancer screening exercise, Iliwa said that a high number of people seeking regular medical checkup were women.

Runyenjes Level 4 Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Samson Iliwa (right) attends to patients at the facility during the exercise. PHOTO: Martin Fundi

More than 3,000 residents were screened during the exercise that was organized by the county government and Indian doctors. Cuban doctors and a number of local healthcare service providers aided in the free medical camp.

Speaking at the venue, Embu County Executive Committee member (CEC) for Health Dr. Joan Mwende said that men need to be sensitized on the importance of taking regular health checkups.

"The problem with our men is that they wait till they become very ill to go to hospital", she said.

Dr. Mwende added that this was the third of such medical camps held in Embu in so few weeks. 
Patients receive services at the facility during the medical camp


The first one, hosted by The Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation was held at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital (ETRH) on 31 October 2019.

The function, in which Senator Beth Mugo attended in person and received by Embu Governor H.E Martin Wambora, Embu Senator Hon. Njeru Ndwiga together with several other high profile dignitaries saw to the screening of 421 people.

According to the Health CEC, all those found to be afflicted with cancer are sent to the recently established Oncology Unit at ETRH for palliative care and treatment.


"One of the major challenges we are facing is the unavailability of resident Oncologists and Radiologists at our Cancer Center", says Dr. Mwende.

She alluded that recruitment of more specialists would make it possible for patients to receive daily services at the Oncology Unit as compared to the current once per week clinic.

The Cancer Center is fitted with State-of-the-art equipment and a 120 bed capacity inpatient ward.

(Edited by Martin Fundi)