Advocacy groups have petitioned the government to increase funding for the fight against cancer to reduce the burden of the disease on Kenyans.
Jared Biwott, the chairman of the Uasin Gishu chapter of Non Communicable Diseases Advocacy, says the fight against cancer cannot succeed without resources required to support patients and caregivers.
Biwott says they have formed community-based support groups of caregivers especially for lung cancer patients who need support in many ways.
"We go out to sensitise communities on lung cancer and also give psychosocial support for caregivers because what they do affects them mentally especially during loss of patients they have been supporting," Biwott said.
Biwot said during a recent session that they had come together to share experiences on caring for patients.
He said some of the caregivers had lost patients and suffered emotionally hence the need for such support groups.
"When we come together to share our experiences as caregivers it helps in healing and to bring closure," he said.
Gideon Ayodo from the NCD Alliance of Kenya said the forum was key in sensitisation for those supporting lung cancer patients.
He said the sessions were also important in giving further training on caregiving and reviewing how counties and national governments were dealing with treatment of lung cancer among other NCDs.
He said a shortage of resources to support patients was a major concern that should be addressed by health sector players.
Ayodo said many patients were forced to seek medication in Uasin Gishu at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
The hospital, he said, was one of the few facilities with better capacity to handle cancer patients.
"We train such groups of caregivers to also help push for more support from counties and other relevant groups," he said.
Through the support from caregivers, he said, many patients were able to come out to speak to other people about their own experiences.
The patients have also formed groups to support each other.
“We need a lot of support and funding from the government to support treatment and management of lung cancer and other NCDs," Ayodo said.
He said failure to access medical support and necessary care was causing the deaths of many patients.
Florence Menye, a member of the group, said they focus on advocacy and sensitisation because the community and affected persons need more relevant information and support in the fight against cancers.
