Kisumu has made a huge step towards the fight against cancer.
This follows the signing of an Intergovernmental Tripartite agreement between the county and the national government for the establishment of the Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorders Centre in Kisumu.
Governor Anyang Nyong’o and Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Mutahi Kagwe laid a foundation stone to mark the start of the construction of the facility.
The centre which is being constructed at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) will be the third centre in the country after the ones in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Filling the cancer management gap
According to Kagwe, the facility will be key in filling the gaps in cancer care, blood disorders including sickle cell, haemophilia, leukaemia and lymphatic disorders.
“The cancer centre whose foundation we have laid today is a great milestone in terms of the future of cancer management and cancer control not only in Kisumu but also in the country,” said Kagwe.
The project is estimated to cost Sh165 million, and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Sickle Cell Anaemia
Governor Nyong’o also noted that the centre will be key in the treatment of other blood disorders like sickle cell anaemia which is prevalent in the western region.
He said sickle cell anaemia prevalence is at four per cent in the region, leading to several deaths among children.
“Sadly a good number of children suffering from sickle cell anaemia die before celebrating their fifth birthday and 90 percent of them are below 15 years,” said Nyong’o.
