Health CS Nakhumicha Wafula has underscored the imperative need for collective action in tackling the escalating threat of cancer during the National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month event at Mwatunge grounds.

CS Nakhumicha outlined measures to address the challenge, including comprehensive coverage of screenings, diagnostics, and treatments under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), with a significant allocation earmarked specifically for cancer care.

With an annual requirement of approximately 46 billion shillings, the SHIF aims to fortify cancer care services, encompassing screening, diagnostics, treatment, and ongoing support like rehabilitation and palliative care.

The event also highlighted the urgent imperative to eliminate stigma surrounding cancer, a barrier often hindering timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly for prevalent cancers like cervical and breast cancer.

The CS urged Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage CS Aisha Jumwa to leverage her office’s influence in combatting cancer, advocating for heightened awareness, early detection, and equitable access to quality treatment.

The call to action comes amidst a surge in cancer cases in Kenya, underscoring the critical need for concerted efforts to comprehensively address the disease and provide robust support to affected individuals and families.

The CS also visited the Moi Voi Eye Unit and Voi Referral Cancer Centre, which play an important role in the provision of specialized and critical treatment.

She reiterated the commitment of the national government to support and collaborate with the county governments and ensure fostering of socio-economic transformation at the grassroots in the health sector.

The ongoing construction of a cancer unit wing at the hospital will bring to life tele-medicine which heralds a new era in diagnosis, staging, treatment and management of cancer cases in the region.