EMBU: Hundreds of women in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, have received free breast and cervical cancer screenings through a medical camp organized by the Beyond Zero Foundation in partnership with the County Government. The initiative comes at a critical time as patients face challenges accessing healthcare services due to the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
According to Kenya News Agency, the two-day screening event at Makengi Dispensary is part of a three-year collaboration between the County and the Beyond Zero Foundation. This partnership aims to conduct extensive cancer screening and treatment outreach programs to address the rising burden of breast and cervical cancer in the region. Makengi Dispensary Nursing Officer Pheneas Kimathi emphasized the importance of early detection, citing that many women seek medical help only after their conditions have advanced, making treatment difficult.
Kimathi urged women to take advan
tage of free screening services, noting that procedures like pap smears are often unaffordable for many, particularly in rural areas. Women who participated in the screenings, many for the first time, praised the initiative for its potential to save lives through early detection and intervention. Area resident Cecilia Njoki expressed her gratitude and encouraged other women to undergo regular screenings.