CTC holds cancer screening and awareness outreach for KNH staff

By Winfred Gumbo

On 27th and 28th October 2022, the Cancer Treatment Centre in collaboration with multidisciplinary Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) departments held a cancer screening and awareness outreach for KNH staff.

The two-day event saw members of the public being incorporated in the drive aimed at getting to know the importance of early screening and detection of cancer to save lives. They offered these free services to members of the public: consultation, blood sugar test, blood pressure check, nutritional services, clinical breast examination, cervical screening - Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and health education.

However, members of staff got all the above services with additional services like Pap smear, mammogram, ultrasound, colonoscopy, Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and colonoscopy.

Day two of cancer awareness and screening was officially launched by Director, Surgical Services, Dr. Kennedy Ondede on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS.

In his speech, Dr. Ondede called for the need to start with prevention of cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices. He urged the health care givers to uptake continuous screening for early detection of cancer as the services are readily available within KNH.

“I would like to appreciate the milestones gained by the Cancer Treatment Centre in provision of services like cancer screening and awareness, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Radionuclide Therapy, Patient Navigation, CT simulation and Brachytherapy,” he said as he urged members of staff to stop self diagnosis and medication since majority are medics who know about drugs.

The Head of Department, Cancer Treatment Centre, Dr. Catherine Nyongesa appreciated the staff who work tirelessly to help in the fight against cancer. She also emphasized on the need for early detection as most patients get detected with cancer at late stages. She urged men to go for regular breast cancer checks since a smaller percentage of them suffer from breast cancer too.

“In a year, we see 6000 new patients. The number however, reduced during the time when Covid-19 was at its peak. Cervical cancer is rampant in women but most patients present in late stages thus there is a need to double the effort in cancer prevention,” she said.

Senior Assistant Chief Nurse, Medicine Ms. Esther Murunga representing the Director, Nursing Services equally urged health care givers to take care of themselves, as much as they take care of the patients.

Breast cancer survivors, Dr. Stella Ombati and Irene Wangui, (both health care givers), through their testimonials emphasized on the need for support during medication. They urged ladies to do regular self breast checks.

“I would like to emphasize on the need for support while one is undergoing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Stella Ombati.

Irene Wangui, a nurse by profession, talked about her survival experience and was grateful to the medical team who took care of her while undergoing treatment.

“I urge my fellow members of staff to make good use of such opportunities and be healthy caregivers,” she said.

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation donated colostomy bags as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

A total of 245 people were screened during the event.

MAIN PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA Director Surgical Services, Dr. Kennedy Ondede who represented CEO KNH, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS giving a speech during the cancer awareness and screening outreach for KNH staff at the Helipad Ground

KNH Staff (L) taking the Blood Pressure of fellow staff who showed up for the cancer awareness and screeining outreach at the KNH Helipad Ground

PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA

Head of Department, Cancer Treatment Centre, KNH Dr. Catherine Nyongesa (R) accompanied by other KNH officials to receive colostomy bags donated by Kenya Broadcasting Corporation representatives during the cancer awareness and screening outreach for KNH staff at the Helipad Ground

PHOTO | NICHOLAS WAMALWA