Hundreds of Lugari Sub County residents benefited from free cancer screening exercise sponsored by nominated senator Dr. Gertrude Musuruve Inimah in collaboration with The Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation and other partners.
Speaking during the exercise conducted at Lumakanda Township sports grounds, Senator Gertrude who is a cancer survivor said she took the initiative to help save thousands of lives of Lugari Sub County residents.
She said she had triumphed over cancer, and it was her wish to see other patients’ access treatment disclosing that with early detection the killer disease can easily be treated.
“I was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and many people were worried for my life because they thought I was going to die but I successfully went through treatment although it left me with disability but I thank God for it because he wanted to use me as living testimony to help save many lives and that is why I started Living Beyond Cancer and Disability (LIBCAD) foundation to be able to reach out to the people at the grassroots so that they are able to receive treatment on time,” she said.
Dr. Gertrude thanked her colleague senator Beth Mugo who is also a cancer survivor for supporting her initiative of campaign against cancer.
“Although cancer is 100% treatable, it is unfortunate that about 70% of people diagnosed with the disease in Kenya die, since it has no specific symptoms. The only option is to practice healthy lifestyle and going for early screening. I know the service is so expensive and many people especially in this rural area can’t meet the cost and that is why in collaboration with my colleague senator Mugo and other partners I came up with this program to help my people,” said Dr, Gertrude.
She urged residents to enroll for NHIF to relieve them of pocket financing of health services, cancer treatment being one of the diseases that have impoverished many Kenyans.
Dr. Gertrude has promised to sponsor more free cancer screening exercises in all the six wards in Lugari Sub County to ensure all resident in the sub county are reached.
On her part Kakamega County First Lady Mrs. Priscilla Oparanya who graced the function thanked Senator Gertrude for having the lives of Lugari residents at heart by sponsoring the exercise and promised her full support for the program.
She appealed to all Kakamega County residents to go for the screening assuring assistance for those who will be diagnosed. “I have partnered with organizations such African women for cancer, Women for cancer and Roche which is a pharmaceutical company and if you are diagnosed we are here to guide and direct you to next step where you will get assistance,” said Mrs Oparanya.
She thanked Lugari men for turning up in large number for the cancer screening and urged men in other areas to emulate the same. “I know many men fear going for medical tests but I’m much impressed by Lugari men this is a good gesture it show you are so caring,” said Mrs. Oparanya.
Speaking at the same function Kakamega County Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda appealed for the national government intervention to help fighting the cancer menace by offering free treatment in all health facilities across the country. “Many Kenyans lose their lives to the disease because they can’t afford high cost of treating it,” she said.
During the one day exercise close to 1000 residents were attended to with senator also facilitating their lunch.