Turning point for cancer patients as Trans Nzoia opens new oncology hub

The fight against cancer in Trans Nzoia county has received a major boost with the opening of the Mt Elgon Hospital Cancer Centre — a facility expected to transform access to screening, treatment and palliative care across the region.

Governor George Natembeya said his administration is fully committed to ensuring residents receive specialised care within the county, ending the long journeys to Eldoret and other towns in search for similar services.

County health officials and partners hailed the milestone as a defining step toward bringing comprehensive oncology services closer to the people.

County Director of Health and Sanitation Dr Isaac Babu described the new centre as a turning point in the county’s healthcare system, noting that for years, many patients have struggled to access timely diagnosis and treatment.

“Sometimes you find a patient at stage 3B or even stage 4 and wonder how they didn’t feel anything all that time,” he said. “We also see patients coming in with no symptoms at all.”

Babu emphasised the importance of early screening and public awareness, warning that cancer spares no one.

“Many of us don’t screen because we think cancer can’t get to us. But it doesn’t choose class, religion or tribe. We are all susceptible, whether due to risk factors or genetic makeup,” he said.

He lauded Natembeya and his wife Lilian for their role in spearheading the establishment of the facility.

“The governor personally pushed for this centre to begin operating. Now we must seek partners and friends to ensure it grows into a fully functional oncology unit,” he added.

Babu also urged residents to register under the Social Health Authority, noting that Trans Nzoia still records one of the lowest enrolment rates in the country.

“We are seeing cancer patients getting services through SHA. Yes, there are complaints, but it’s a new system that will improve with time — especially if more people register,” he said.

Board members of the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, including Ronald Masindano, Alice Marango, Fr. Mica Kemboi and Teresa Metto, called for intensified community sensitisation campaigns.

“We need to invest more in information dissemination. People must understand the services available so they can come forward for treatment,” Masindano said.

The board commended the oncology and palliative care teams for their dedication, describing their work as “not just a service, but a calling to serve humanity”.

Oncologist Dr Evance Manuthu said the centre marks the first step in the county’s long-term goal of establishing a fully equipped oncology unit.

“The incidence of cancer in Kenya is around 42,000 cases, with about 20,000 deaths annually — that’s very high,” he said. “What we are doing today is baby steps toward a full-fledged cancer centre.”

Palliative care nurse Emmanuela Webale underscored the importance of integrating palliative and oncology services to ensure holistic care.

“We care for patients from diagnosis through treatment,” she said. “Our aim is to support them psychologically, emotionally, physically and spiritually so they can live as normal a life as possible.”

She added that the Mt Elgon Cancer Centre will offer one-stop cancer care services for residents — a place where hope meets healing.