Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale visited the Garissa Regional Cancer Centre on Sunday. The facility ranks among Kenya's three specialized cancer treatment locations alongside Mombasa and Nakuru centers. Patients travel from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Kitui, Isiolo, Lamu, and Somalia for care. Duale spoke with medical staff about operational problems and service improvements. The center treats around 40 people daily, with 10 new patients arriving each day.
The Social Health Authority covers 90 percent of patients through a 550,000 shilling oncology package. Men commonly develop prostate, throat, and colon cancers across the region. Women face breast and cervical cancer at higher rates. The center opened to help locals who previously traveled far distances for treatment. Some patients went as far as India before the regional facility opened.
Duale said his ministry partners with drug companies to reduce cancer medication costs. Joan-Paula Bor from the National Cancer Control Program joined the tour. Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Muhumed also attended the visit. Cancer kills many Kenyans and ranks as the third-deadliest disease. The health outcomes remain concerning across the country.
The Social Health Authority covers 90 percent of patients through a 550,000 shilling oncology package. Men commonly develop prostate, throat, and colon cancers across the region. Women face breast and cervical cancer at higher rates. The center opened to help locals who previously traveled far distances for treatment. Some patients went as far as India before the regional facility opened.
Duale said his ministry partners with drug companies to reduce cancer medication costs. Joan-Paula Bor from the National Cancer Control Program joined the tour. Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Muhumed also attended the visit. Cancer kills many Kenyans and ranks as the third-deadliest disease. The health outcomes remain concerning across the country.
