KMTC students fight off cancer centre plan

Nakuru KMTC Students protest outside the office of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on May 14, 2019. (Harun Wathari, Standard)

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students yesterday took to the streets of Nakuru town to protest against plan by the county government to put up a radiotherapy facility at the institution's playground.

The facility is to be constructed at a cost of Sh500 million. The project is funded by the national government while the county is the implementer under Universal Health Coverage initiative.

About 2,000 KMTC students skipped classes and their internship at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital to protest what they termed impunity by the county government for taking part of the institution's playground without consulting the college management.

Student council representative Abdulai Farah said a constructor moved to the site last week and erected a fence without their knowledge.

Sporting activities

"We are concerned about our sporting activities after county leadership decided to construct a facility on a playground without being involved," said the nursing course student.

Farah said they are not opposed to construction of radiotherapy, but rather, want to be involved, as they too are required to participate in sporting activities.

“The county leadership should inform us the criteria used and whether we will be provided with an alternative playground,” he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Mercy Akong’o, noting they would not relent in advocating their rights as students.

“All we are asking for is to have back our playground. If not, we need an alternative,” she said.

The students camped at the county headquarters for the better part of the morning demanding to be addressed by Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

However, they were addressed by Deputy Governor Eric Korir who said a task force shall be formed to look into the matter.

“Various government agencies shall come together to address the issue raised by learners to avoid anticipated disputes,” said Dr Korir.

While addressing media over the matter, Health Executive Gichuki Kariuki denied claims that the students were not aware about construction of radiotherapy centre.

Dr Kariuki said KMTC and Nakuru Level Five facility are located on a 23-hectare land under the same title deed.

“Radiotherapy is a project being undertaken by national government and county to bring cancer services to patients. I cannot comprehend why students are against it,” said Kariuki.

He said the national government tendered for the project and the constructor was already at the site.

Nakuru is among counties that have made a milestone by establishing an oncology department to handle rising cases of cancer.

Since the oncology department was established at the facility in May last year, at least 6,000 cases have been reviewed.

Prior to establishment of the oncology unit, patients used to travel for services to Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report of September 2018, Kenya accounts for 32,987 deaths per year, this being about 40 per cent of cases reported in East Africa.

Cancer of the cervix is the leading cancer in the East Africa region and it accounts for 14,282 deaths.

Cancer of the esophagus leads in Kenya with 4,351 deaths registered annually.

The county leadership has been encouraging residents to enroll for National Health Insurance Fund to enable them access radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions.