Miraa harmful to your health, scientists maintain
Eastern
By
ANTONY GITONGA
| Dec 22, 2015
The Consortium for National Health Research (CNHR) has defended the reports on miraa and cancer in Marsabit County terming them as successful.
The consortium came to the defence of four scientists who were conducting the research and whose reports were released last month after debates suggested that they did a shoddy job.
CNHR Director Matilu Mwau said the scientists were qualified in their respective fields and did their best despite the budgetary constraints.
"This model of locally driven and funded research was resoundingly successful as the studies were completed, the reports readied and policy briefs developed within one year," he said.
Prof Mwau said the public discussions were not neutral, adding that in the miraa report it was evident that it had negative effects on humans.
READ MORE
This can be Senate's redemption moment
Honour Angella Okutoyi with adequate sports facilities
Senators, MPs in fresh round of turf wars
Team Kenya lands Sh30 million boost ahead of Paris Games
Parliament's Sh2b cushion from new taxes
Trustees now in dilemma over NSSF directive
Xiaomi unveils Redmi Note 13 Series: A new era of innovation
Housing Bill, NADCO report top agenda as Parliament resumes from recess next week
Think tank seeks ban on export of raw materials to boost earnings
"Regardless of the emotive nature of the discussion, we cannot overlook the fact that there is now a substantial body of research evidence that suggests that the stimulant is linked to various negative health outcomes," he said.
In a statement yesterday, Mwau defended the report done by Ochiba Lukandu and Lukoye Atwoli, saying the next step was identifying the real effects on relationships and health outcomes.
"What the researchers could consider next is to conduct studies that demonstrate the direct cause and effect relationships between Miraa and each of the negative health outcomes described in the report," he said.
In a statement, the director said reports in sections of the media were misleading especially on the Marsabit cancer report.
"The article suggested that merchants inimical to our cause dumped radioactive waste in Marsabit several years ago and that this waste was linked to cancer," he said.
He said the cancers reported in Marsabit had nothing to do with radioactive waste, adding that the risk factors did not in any way include hazards linked to the wastes.