Nyeri, Kenya — Speaking at Kagumo Teachers Training College during the 65th National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) Scientific Conference, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has urged for concerted efforts to stem the rising tide of cancer cases in Kenya. Warning that the disease could hamper the nation’s long-term economic prospects, Kahiga also emphasized the need for quality healthcare services to effectively fight against cancer.

The Kenya News Agency reports that the governor’s remarks come during World Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at a conference attended by over 2,000 nurses from 47 counties. The three-day conference is themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable Universal Health Coverage.”

Governor Kahiga stressed the importance of breast cancer screening and health education, citing breast cancer as a leading type of cancer in Nyeri County as well as across the country. “If we are to win the war against premature deaths caused by breast cancer, we must also emphasize screening and health education,” he said. Statistics indicate breast cancer as one of the leading cancers in the nation, with 34 infections for every 100,000 Kenyans. It is followed by prostate cancer and esophageal cancer, contributing to 27,000 deaths per year.

In addition to urging governmental responsibility in healthcare, Kahiga challenged nurses to play an assertive role in shaping the future of healthcare by participating in research, policy advocacy, and policy implementation at both county and national levels.

Nyeri has allocated a total of Sh176 million this year for the promotion of nurses within the county. The governor also urged improvements in working conditions for nurses and midwives and called for a review of health insurance schemes for these healthcare professionals.

Governor Kahiga also committed to taking nurses’ concerns to the Council of Governors for review. “We don’t want unrest in this sector. We must stop talking to each other and start agreeing with each other,” he warned.

The conference, which began on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday, October 19, 2023, also saw the presence of various key stakeholders including NNAK Chair Collins Ajwang’ Otieno, Nyeri County Health CEC Dr. Joseph Kiragu, County Health Director Dr. Nelson Muriua, and County Nursing Director Nelly Maina.