By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) proudly hosted Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of the Ministry of Health, as the Chief Guest for the launch of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This significant event, a collaboration between KUTRRH and the Ministry of Health, marks a dedicated effort to raise awareness, improve early diagnosis, and provide better care for children battling cancer across Kenya.
As part of the launch, KUTRRH took a major step in its commitment to combating pediatric cancer by officially opening its new Pediatric Oncology Ward.
According to Chairperson, KUTRRH Prof. Olive Mugenda, the ward will serve as a cornerstone for the hospital’s comprehensive approach to pediatric oncology, focusing on providing quality care, early diagnosis, and affordable treatment options for children with cancer.
“We took the chance to open the Paediatric Oncology Ward at the Hospital as a starting point to show our commitment to fight paediatric Cancer,” stated Prof.Mugenda.
The event brought together pediatric oncologists and healthcare professionals from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and the Ministry of Health.
They resolved to intensify the fight against childhood cancer by advocating for increased awareness, promoting early diagnosis, and providing the best affordable treatments across hospitals in Kenya.
The healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of a united approach to combating pediatric cancer, with a focus on improving patient outcomes through multi-institutional collaboration.
“The gathering which included paediatricians from KNH and the Ministry of Health resolved to continue with the fight against cancer by advocating, awareness, early diagnosis and best affordable treatment available across the Hospitals in Kenya,” said Prof. Mugenda.
KUTRRH announced that it would continue to partner with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the soon to be launched State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to ensure early diagnosis services are accessible to all patients at no extra cost.
“KUTRRH will continue to partner with NHIF and soon SHIF to continue early diagnosis services at no extra cost to the patients,” she added.
The launch of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the opening of the Pediatric Oncology Ward at KUTRRH mark a significant milestone in the fight against pediatric cancer in Kenya