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"id": 638158,
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"speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Nyasuna",
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"legal_name": "Gladys Atieno Nyasuna",
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"content": "infections and cardio-vascular diseases and accounts for up to 18,000 deaths annually, with over 82,000 new cases reported annually; noting that over one- third of cancer patients experience clinical anxiety and depression, profoundly affecting the families psychologically and economically; cognizant of the fact that some of the patients travel up to 600 kilometers to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the only public hospital that hosts most of the oncologists in Kenya; further cognizant of the fact that the remaining small number of oncologists are mainly based in Nairobi; deeply concerned that only a few patients get admission or outpatient treatment due to monetary constraints; this House resolves that the Government mitigates the situation by offering scholarships to, at least, one (1) Medical Masters student per county to study oncology, and signing contractual agreements with them to serve in designated cancer treatment and management centres; building partnerships with existing medical institutions in local public universities for provision of training opportunities; and emphasizing on the use of telemedicine and e-medicine to eliminate distance barriers and improve access to medical services. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, allow me to thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Given that this Motion has monetary implications, it went before the Budget and Appropriations Committee which reviewed and approved that it comes before this House. Today, we spoke a lot about implementation and given that this Motion got an okay from the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and given the critical nature and specific issues it raises, I hope it will get to a point of implementation. This Motion seeks approval of the National Assembly for the Government to offer scholarship to, at least one Medical Masters student per county to study oncology. After the scholarships, those students will get into a contract with the Government to serve in specific county hospitals. That is because, currently, there is a huge concentration of oncologists and medical practitioners in urban areas such as Nairobi and Mombasa, where they find life easier. County hospitals are left without competent medical personnel, particularly specialists of that nature. The wording of the Motion shows that cancer now ranks third in causes of death in this country after infections and cardio-vascular diseases. Previously, cancer was considered a disease for the rich and, perhaps, that is why treatment of cancer is not as considered as that of other diseases. Initially, it was considered a lifestyle disease. It is now emerging that a lot of deaths occurring among our people, even in our constituencies and even those in the lowest cadre are resulting from cancer. According to the Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations, globally, cancer causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria combined. It is also said that 70 per cent of the global cancer burden is in low and middle income countries like Kenya. That gives us a reason to worry. If detected early, 30 per cent of cancer types are curable. As I move, I know that, as Members of this House and people listening out there, we have, in one way or the other, been affected by cases of cancer. The unfortunate bit is that cancer is catastrophic. Apart from the distress it causes the mind, it also causes catastrophe in the economies of families. It can turn you around from a middle income family into paupers after paying bills and, unfortunately, sometimes, you end up losing the patient. It is estimated that there are 39,000 new cases of cancer every year with more than 27,000 deaths every year. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}