Governor Mutua opens cancer centre in Machakos

Machakos County residents are set to benefit from free cancer treatment after Governor Alfred Mutua on Thursday opened the Machakos Cancer Care and Research Centre.

According to Governor Mutua, the facility will offer cancer screening, diagnosis, counseling, chemotherapy treatment and management free of charge to residents of Machakos County registered under the Universal Health Coverage program.

The Machakos Cancer Care and Research Centre will also be open to residents of other counties, with those from Makueni and Kitui, which are under the South Eastern Kenya Economic Block (SEKEB), being offered services at special rates.

Speaking during the opening of the facility at the Machakos Level 5 Referral hospital, Mutua said all other citizens from across the country are also welcome and will be attended to at a subsidized price.

“We want to ensure that cancer treatment is for all of us not just a few. Treatment for cancer must not be a preserve for the rich in the society. Every resident of Machakos no matter how poor will be entitled to equivalent treatment as the rich who own bungalows and top of the range vehicles,” said Dr. Mutua.

He pointed out that the county had injected Ksh.40 million into the project, adding that in the next budget, his administration will set aside Ksh.300 million for purchase of more equipment.

“This center can undertake can undertake the highest quality of diagnosis and provide chemotherapy. In the next budget, we will include purchase of a sh 300 million radiotherapy machine. Our strategy is to have several diagnostic and treatment centers spread all over the county within the next three years,” he said.

Mutua said the program was fully funded by the county government, adding that some of the equipment had been sourced from friends and well wishers through Machakos First Lady Lilian Ng’ang’a.

“Today I am very happy because we can do more than just diagnosing cancer. We can treat and manage the disease and also do it for free for thousands of our people who will no longer have to choose between food and cancer medication,” said the Machakos First Lady.

The Governor said he will also work closely with development partners, the National Government, individuals and experts to support in acquisition of additional equipment and skills improvement.

“We will also utilize telemedicine for consultations between our doctors and experts in America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and our African continent,” he said.

Here are photos showing some of the equipment at the Machakos Cancer Centre: