How I netted Sh2bn for cancer centre through Uhuru — Mugenda

Prof Olive Mugenda had just come back from church when she decided to go to the hospital.

Mugenda, who is the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital board chair, did not know that President Uhuru Kenyatta was to make a surprise visit at the facility that Sunday afternoon.

The President arrived at the hospital in an impromptu inspection tour and asked her to take him round the hospital.

When they got to the cancer centre, Uhuru wanted to know what could be done to ensure that Kenyans seeking treatment for cancer do not have to travel out of the country.

"Luckily I had this proposal which I harboured for five years, so I had facts at my fingertips,” she said.

Mugenda was speaking during the Nairobi Hospital CEOs' roundtable with women leaders in Kenya’s health sector on Wednesday.

The meeting brought together women in the health sector and was attended by Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi and the Nairobi Hospital CEO James Nyamongo.

She outlined what the cancer centre needed for the dream to be actualised.

A cyclotron machine, which  produces radioisotopes (consumables) that are used to prepare the dosage injected into the patient for early diagnosis of cancer and PET/CT machines.

She told him the machine could only be found at the Aga Khan University Hospital hence the need to have one in the public sector.

“He asked me how much it will cost, I told him Sh2 billion. I thought that was the end,” Mugenda said.

But when she escorted him to the parking, he told her to write down the requirements she had listed earlier and give it to him. She wrote five points.  

"On Monday the Treasury was calling me that they had been told to fund something. In one month we got Sh2 billion," she said.

"I always shed tears when I see Kenyans coming to the centre for screening because we attend to between 20 and 25 patients per day."

The Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre opened its doors to the public on January 10 and operates on two shifts to clear backlog among patients.

It has two PET/CT scan machines that are expected to screen at least 50 patients per day during the two shifts, with each machine serving 24 patients. However, the numbers are expected to increase.

The scan takes about 25 minutes. Patients under the NHIF cover are charged Sh40,000, Sh55,000 for cash payment and Sh60,000 for other insurance providers.

It is the first comprehensive cancer centre in the country and the region and will offer early diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

“With these, we hope to clear the backlog. We will not have long waiting time," acting KUTRH CEO Victor Njom said.

"They will be treated soon and this will lead to early diagnosis and better outcomes."

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said high number of deaths are as a result of infrastructural and resource limitation in the health sector.

Health data shows cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)