For many Kenyan families, the story of cancer has become the greatest health scare.

News of positive diagnosis has become synonymous with financial strain and suffering.

For cancer patients the pain of seeking treatment, long queues at public health facilities and the fear of the future is more excruciating.

However, for cancer patients in the South Rift region, an oncology unit at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital, has restored the hope of early diagnosis and management of cancer.

The oncology unit has 10 chemotherapy seats and is manned by an oncologist, a medical officer, a pharmacist, four nurses and a physiotherapist.

The unit has the capacity to serve at least 30 patients a day.

Already, more than 20,000 cancer patients have visited the centre for various services, according to the Nakuru County health executive Jacqueline Osoro, since its establishment in 2018.

The oncology unit has been a relief to cancer patients, who now do not have to travel long distances seeking for services.

“Before the unit was built, most cancer patients sought treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and in private hospitals in Nairobi, which were costly. Now residents are advised to seek services at the facility. The oncology unit has been a relief to cancer patients from various parts of the South Rift, who used to travel to the national facility for chemotherapy services," says Ms Osoro.

The cancer center serves patients from Nakuru and more than five other counties including Kericho,Samburu,Narok,Bomet and Baringo.

Ms Mary Maina from Subukia sub county is among patients who have been receiving treatment at the facility. The mother of four, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.

"I am very happy I got all the services including my chemotherapy sessions in Nakuru. I had been referred to the Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. The facility came in handy,"Ms Maina told the Nation.

John Moenga, a resident of Molo, who was diagnosed with cancer of the colon, in 2016, is now able to get chemotherapy at the facility. He used to go to the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for the services before 2018, where he would wait for long to be treated.

Meanwhile, the government established a Sh 1billion radiotherapy center in the region located at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital.

The radiotherapy center will be a major boost to the oncology center that has been serving thousands of patients since May 2018.

Ematara@ke.nationmedia.com

Oncology Center offers Reprieve to Cancer Patients

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Eric Matara