KENYA—Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has officially opened a new Paediatric Oncology Ward, a significant step toward improving cancer care for children.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, oversaw the inauguration of this state-of-the-art facility during the hospital’s hosting of the national commemoration of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The event brought together many participants, including KUTRRH Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda, officials from the Ministry of Health, health professionals, civil society organizations, and families affected by childhood cancer.
In addition, several key partners in the healthcare sector were also present to show their support for the hospital’s ongoing efforts to provide better cancer care services.
A series of activities marked the occasion, most notably a Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk, which aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children with cancer in Kenya.
Attendees also took a guided tour of the newly commissioned Paediatric Oncology Ward, where they witnessed firsthand the advanced facilities to provide better care for young cancer patients.
The event also featured moving testimonials from childhood cancer survivors, shedding light on the realities of battling the disease.
In his speech, Dr. Amoth stressed the importance of observing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and International Childhood Cancer Day, both of which advocate for the well-being of children diagnosed with cancer.
He pointed out that more than 3,000 cases of childhood cancer are reported annually in Kenya, reflecting a worrying trend that demands urgent attention.
“Our children rely on us to ensure they receive the best possible care,” Dr. Amoth remarked, highlighting the need to provide adequate treatment for these young patients.
This year’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is themed “Reducing the Survival Gap,” focusing on addressing the stark disparities in childhood cancer outcomes between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Kenya.
Dr. Amoth acknowledged that survival rates in LMICs remain significantly lower due to factors like late referrals, misdiagnosis, and barriers to accessing timely and adequate care, both financial and social.
Nevertheless, Dr. Amoth reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to improving the situation through initiatives aimed at early detection, expanding access to treatment, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
He commended leading hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and KUTRRH, for their pivotal roles in advancing cancer care in Kenya.
Public-private partnerships were also recognized for their contributions to enhancing healthcare delivery, particularly in oncology.
Dr. Amoth concluded his remarks by urging Kenyans to register for the government’s Social Health Insurance reforms, which will make healthcare more affordable for all.
He also called on educators to play a role in identifying early symptoms of cancer in children, emphasising the critical role of early detection in improving outcomes for young patients.
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