Cancer patients relieved after Ruto commissions Cyberknife

Kenyans will no longer have to travel abroad to seek advanced cancer treatment.

This is after a cyberknife, the latest technology in the treatment of cancer was officially commissioned on Monday by President William Ruto.

The machine which arrived in the country in October last year has been undergoing installation by a team of experts and is being housed at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital 

Speaking during the launch, Ruto reiterated the government's commitment to harness the post-pandemic recovery momentum to reverse the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, especially cancers, heart diseases and diabetes-related complications.

"Kenyans who are already covered under NHIF can receive radiation therapy without paying any top-ups," he said.

"We are acutely aware of the drastic socioeconomic impact of these diseases." 

The President said many Kenyan households live under the threat of having all their savings wiped out by illness saying 36 per cent of Kenyans are at risk of falling into poverty on account of catastrophic financial expenditure.

Cyberknife, the latest technology that conducts non-invasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumours, uses advanced technology to track tumours anywhere in the body, with treatments conducted in one to five sessions.

It is globally acclaimed as the best treatment for brain tumours, lung tumours, prostate cancer tumours, meningiomas, and vascular malfunctions among others.

Data from the hospital showed that bookings for cyberknife services had started and 36 patients were on the waiting list by the time the machine arrived in the country.

The machine uses advanced technology to track tumours anywhere in the body, with treatments conducted in one to five sessions.

"Cumulatively, these advantages lead to the shorter recovery period, minimal side effects and better overall outcomes," Ruto said.

He said the government will continue to invest in highly advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment to actualise the highest standard of treatment and care in the country.