Kisumu East MP Shabbir welcomes India's help in cancer treatment

Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir has welcome move by India to build a cancer hospital in the country.

Kenya and India Monday signed an agreement for the construction of a state-of-the art hospital.

Mr Shabir said the deal comes at a time when the country is faced with rising cases of cancer, and that the facility will increase accessibility to cancer treatment.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in the country for a State visit has recognised the need for more engagement between the two States.

With reports of many Kenyans seeking specialised medication in India, Mr Modi reaffirmed his commitment to see the facility put up in the country to bring services closer to the people.

Mr Shabbir who is one of the Kenyans of Asian origin privileged to have been elected to the National Assembly supported Mr Modi's move saying such a step would help cement the relationship between the two countries.

With the cases of cancer deaths going up in the country, there has been need for improved healthcare to ensure more hospitals are equipped to handle cancer patients.

Currently, only Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital are the public hospitals, which can handle cancer cases, but the two are overwhelmed with the rising cases.

"This is a positive step towards achieving access to quality healthcare, and I am in support of Modi's commitment," he said.

Meanwhile, the MP has clarified a story carried in Monday's The Standard, which quoted him as telling the Asian community to stop being selfish.

The legislator said he was quoted out of context, and that his statement was to challenge the Asian community to participate in community development and corporate social responsibilities.

Calling on Kenyans of Indian origin to invest more on the people, Shabbir said the Indians in the country had done commendable job in the country's development.

"Even though they are reserved and do not share much about their culture, character and religion, the 'work of their hands' speaks for itself," he said.

The Asian community has been perceived as having 'business blood' given their massive entrepreneurship skills and extensive success in trade.

From shopping malls, real estate, transport to hospitality, the businessmen boast of massive investments in major towns in Nyanza and Western region, where they are making big investments in business. Their businesses contribute up to 80 per cent of economies of various towns.