Moi referral hospital commissions cancer, TB management centre

The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has commissioned a cancer centre.

The Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Management Centre will be used for treatment of cancer and other chronic illnesses like tuberculosis.

Clinical Oncologist Elias Melly said the centre will be used to carry out surgeries, chemotherapy and radiography.

Dr Melly said the facility will be equipped with the latest technological radiation equipment and drugs, in addition to being a training centre for medical students.

“We only have one public hospital with a cancer centre at Kenyatta National Hospital where patients have to line up for many months before receiving treatment. Therefore, this centre will ensure patients receive treatment at the pre-malignant stages and help in easing the number at KNH,” he said.

At the moment, MTRH refers patients to countries like India for treatment.

FORCED TO WAIT

At KNH, many patients are forced to wait for up to a year for treatment, many of them never make it to their appointment date.

Melly urged the public to go for regular screening for early detection to enable treatment before the disease spreads.

“Many people fear going for cancer screening. Others opt for traditional medicines.

“But the herbs only delay the cancer disease in the body and by the time one goes to hospital, it is already too late,” he added.

He told the public to dismiss the notion that if surgery is performed on a cancer patient, the disease will extend to other organs.

He said surgery is recommended to remove the affected organs only.

He further said that the patient will be administered with other drugs to prevent cancer cells from developing in other organs.

“Cancer can be treated using one modality; if it is detected at pre-malignant stages, and it is a very cheap intervention,” remarked Melly.

“The construction of the centre is almost complete.

“The only building remaining is the banker where the radiation machine will be kept to prevent the leakage of radiation x-rays to the public,” said Naftali Busakhala, an oncologist at the MTRH.