County records high number of cancer cases

An Immunology machine at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. INSET: Meru County Health Executive Dr William Muraah. [PHOTO: PHARES MUTEMBEI/STANDARD]

Meru, Kenya: High number of cancer cases have been recorded in Meru county, a senior county official has said.

Though the causes are varied, Kiegoi ward in Igembe South has recorded the highest number of patients seeking treatment for throat and brain cancer, while stomach cancers are more common in Imenti South and Imenti Central sub-counties.

"Experts blame it on debris dropped into forested hills by the British Air force during the independence struggle, which polluted the river sources," says Dr William Muraah, the county Health Executive.

"While the actual causes are yet to be identified and documented, aflatoxin due to poor storage of grains is also to blame," Mr Muraah said.

The executive noted that cervical and breast cancers are also common in Meru, and urged the community to protect their children early enough form the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the main cause of cervical cancer.

"Vaccination of young girls before sexual début and adult women who are not exposed to HPV is an effective preventive measure," he said.

 CANCER PATTERN

He was speaking during a cancer awareness and screening campaign at Kaaga Primary School, organised by the health department. Woman Rep Florence Kajuju and Health Principal Secretary Dr Khadija Kassachoon graced the event that saw 19 new cancer cases diagnosed.

Muraa announced the county had partnered with the Kenya Medical Research Institute to document all cases and help establish the pattern of sex, age, region and type of cancers.

"The health department has set aside a budget of Sh3 million, to undertake cancer research to help monitor the disease in the county," he said, adding that Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital has installed a new Sh9.5 million Immunology machine that can pick cancer traces early.

"Our capacity to undertake surgeries and initiate chemotherapy is now more advanced. We have arranged for Dr Eliud Njuguna, one of Kenya's best Oncologists, to visit the facility once a month," said Muraah.

As part of preventive interventions, the county's health department is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to educate farmers on the importance of appropriate grain storage to reduce aflatoxin development and ingestion.

"We are also installing grain dryers in specific locations for farmers to use for a few shillings. The dryers will be run by Saccos and clients will be required to pay a small fee," he said.

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Meru Cancer