Residents of Webuye town and its environs have been treated to a free cancer screening program organized by a local church, Webuye New Hope in partnership with American Christian doctors from Compel international outreach Center.
The free medical camp that kicked off on Friday at Nangoto village saw the attendance of different patients, with various diseases, who were treated, advised and given drugs.
The event by the Christian based organization happens every year in August and is also used to spread the word of God, as well as offering the platform to do other charitable deeds in the community.
Bishop Erick Mudenyo, the CEO of Compel Center said that there are specialists doctors from abroad who treat and handle various diseases
He said that some doctors who have volunteered to give services for free are from across the County. “We have been concerned about the recent talk on cancer, how it has killed prominent leaders in the country and that’s why today we are giving our people much needed advice on what to do to avoid cancer,” he said, “We are looking at the low living standards of our people and some do not have the money to go to hospitals and get medication that’s why we try and bring the medication to them.”
Bill Bright, from America, said they’ve been doing so by reaching out to those who are less privileged in the community not only in Kenya but in many other African countries. “We help train pastors to set up schools and hospitals and also ensure we get people healthy by offering free services,” he said.
Jamar Oman, a doctor at Webuye said that there are various departments where patients are received. He said that the patients with eye disease, Typhoid, Pneumonia, Diarrhea were treated, among others.
He said that this year many patients have been suffering from malaria, and high blood pressure. “We’ve had long queues of about 800 people, who we handle in various departments. Our data showed that Diabetes and Malaria are the most common ailments here.”
Dorris Mulongo Wekesa, a nurse at the Webuye Hospital Cancer Centre said that most patients who are diagnosed with cancer are given psychological counselling first. She said that most of the cancer patients are victims of poor lifestyles caused by poor eating habits.
She said that in Webuye there have been high cases of women with cervical cancer but most are given proper advice and help afterwards. The residents said the camp was helpful for many of them who are sick and don’t have the money to go to hospital for treatment.