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)

NEW SERIES - #3: DEPUTY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO Can Attest to the Development Record of Embu County

Embu governor Hon. Martin Wambora (second right) when he received Deputy President Hon. William Ruto in Embu on 25 October, 2018

A Glorious Past Points to a Bright Future in the Land of Opportunities

Though it has been argued that it is not advisable to keep on recalling things that happened in the past, some things are just too noble to let go without revisiting.  It is therefore with nostalgia that Raslimali Embu reminds you of some of the work that has been done in the last one year; some of which may have escaped the attention of many. In previous publications on this online newsletter, we highlighted some of the achievements accomplished by the current county government in the month of December 2018 (New Series #1) and November of the same year (New Series #2). Going forward, we hereby point out some of the major steps taken in the right direction by Embu County government in the month of October, 2018.

On 25 October 2018, Embu governor, Hon. Martin Wambora hosted Deputy President H.E Hon. William Ruto, whereby he was joined by the entire county leadership, renowned academicians and other dignitaries in launching of an Endowment Fund to cater for needy students at the University of Embu. The occasion, during which the Deputy President laid a plaque commemorating the official opening of the Prof George Magoha library, was an indication of the esteem in which the government holds education as a key driver of future prosperity.

Later in the day, agriculture, trade and industry were recognized when the DP commissioned PrivamNuts EPZ Kenya Limited, a model macadamia value addition factory in Embu County. On 22 October, the government distributed certified green grams seeds (N26 Variety) a process that was carried out in 8 wards in Mbeere North and Mbeere South sub-counties. On this matter, governor Wambora said that his government was set to distribute the seeds to over 2500 households, to boost food production in line with the national government's big 4 Agenda on food security.

The flagging off of the free medical camp in which drugs worth ksh31 million were distributed 

On health, the government recognizes that health is wealth. In this regard, the Department of Health distributed medicine worth 31million to 94 health facilities across the county on 8 October. The Department of health together with a number of partners proceeded with a medical outreach program with free medical camps at Dallas, Shauri and Grogon before holding a mega Medical Camp at Embu Stadium.

These are just but a few among many other notable accomplishments by the county government, that clearly indicate that the people of Embu can look forward to better times in future.

Leading Organizations Recognized for their Support in Healthcare Provision

BRIDGING THE GAP IN HEALTHCARE PROVISION

Embu County Government, through its Department of Health - headed by Health Minister Dr. Jamleck Muturi - has since the month of April 2018, held five free medical camps covering the four sub counties. This noble endeavor was executed in collaboration with the undersigned stakeholders. It is with much gratitude that the organizations below are recognized:

(Here below are the websites of some of the esteemed Organizations, courtesy of 'Raslimali Embu', an Online Marketing Newsletter. Through the links provided alongside each corporation, thousands of people will learn more about the respective services offered by each and possibly get into contact. Through this platform, the online visibility of your brand is enhanced, leading to more awareness hence wider markets)
 

Imara MediPlus Hospital

Website: https://imaramed.org/

WINAS SACCO Limited

Website: http://www.winassacco.com/

Githunguri Diaries

Website:  https://www.fresha.co.ke/

Embu Children Hospital (TENRI)

Website: http://tenrihospital.org/

Wimwaro FM

To listen to the radio channel online, you can use this link: https://www.liveonlineradio.net/kenya/wimwaro-fm.htm

Kenya Medical Supplies Authority

Website: http://www.kemsa.co.ke/

 

 Caritas Kenya

https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/africa/kenya/

MSF - Belgium

Website (Kenya): https://www.msf.org/kenya

Other organizations whose contribution is of equal importance are: 

Cuban Doctors

NSSF

Kenya Red Cross

St. John Ambulance

NHIF

County Medical Hospital

Consolata Hospital Kyeni

Daima Sacco

Collo Rescue Team

Medical Training College (MTC) – Embu

University of Embu

 

The combined effort saw a total of 20,160 patients get free medical care. The feat was aimed at improving healthcare coverage by reaching out to those segments of society which may have failed to access medical care hitherto.

You like our marketing strategy? Contact us on 0729801581. 

Regards.