Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba wants the government to establish National Cancer Prevention and Control Fund.
In a Motion tabled in Parliament, Kipchumba wants the House to resolve that the Government through the National Treasury, establishes the fund to ease the burden of the disease on Kenyans.
He pointed out that Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012 seeks to promote access to quality and affordable diagnostic and treatment services for persons with cancer but said the fund would go a long way in addressing the problem.
He noted that Article 42(1)(a) of the Constitution provides for the right of every person to access the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services.
“Cancer is among the leading causes of death in the country and although the budgetary allocation for health care services is progressive, it is inadequate to cater for prevention and care across the country,” he said.
The MP said cancer control in the country is hampered by inadequate cancer care infrastructure and limited specialised human resource capacity.
“A significant number of cancer patients do not complete the prescribed treatment due to the high cost of cancer management,” he added.
Cancer is the third highest cause of morbidity in Kenya (7 per cent of deaths per year), after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases
Government statistics show 60 per cent of Kenyans affected by cancer are 70 years old and below.
It is estimated that Kenya records 39,000 new cases of cancer each year.
