Health Uncategorized

Agakhan Hospital gives Cancer Patients a reason to smile

26/10/2018
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First Lady of the Repbulic of Kenya today officially launched a new cancer machine at the Agakhan University Hospital.

The hospital announced that it had acquired an ultra-modern Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT scanner and Cyclotron from GE Healthcare that comes as a breath of fresh air especially for cancer patients in Kenya who often have had to seek treatment outside the Kenyan borders. The PET CT machine is a molecular imaging system that gives an accurate indication of the progress of cancer in even in its earliest stage.

According to the hospital, the new technology will help clinicians to assess whether or not a patient is responding to treatment and thus, ultimately reduce the number of unnecessary procedures conducted and cost of treatment.

The acquisition of the equipment valued at Ksh. 658.2 million is part of the cancer therapy and management project set up at the facility.

“Through the acquisition of this specialized system, AKUH has reaffirmed its premier status as the leading provider of quality clinical care, teaching and research in sub-Saharan Africa. No longer will people need to leave the region in order to benefit from its life-saving diagnostic capabilities,” read a statement by the hospital.

Patients in need of specialized location of cancer in their bodies have in the past been forced to fly out to other developed countries like India for the procedure but with the new machine, this will be a thing of the past.

“I applaud the effort, devotion and dedication made by the Hospital for the investment of over 600 million Ksh in this ultra-modern machine that will go a long way in transforming the health of Kenyans seeking cancer treatment and other chronic illnesses,” said Margaret Kenyatta while speaking at the launch.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is now the second leading cause of death globally, with 70% of death occurring in low and middle income countries. The Agakhan University Chief Executive, Dr Shawn Bolouki, attributed this to the fact that only three in every ten cancer patients respond to their initial chemotherapy sessions.

The acquisition of the new machine by the Agakhan University Hospital is a big milestone for Kenya as it makes the country the fourth in Africa to have a PET CT scanner and Cyclotron machine.

Dr. Bolouki reaffirmed the University’s commitment to providing professional health education saying, “We are committed to providing quality education to all cadres of the medical profession, from students in medicine, nursing and other health science professions and to the continuing education of health professionals in practice, supporting the building of health expertise in the region.”

The First Lady officially opened launched the machine on a day she mourned the loss of her friend and former chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization, Jane Kiano.

“My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of my dear and great friend Jane Kiano. We honour her legacy as a trailblazer and a champion for women’s empowerment in the region,” said the First Lady in a tweet.

The late Ms. Jane Kiano, who relentlessly fought for the rights of women, died at the Nairobi Hospital after a long battle with lung cancer.

 

Do you think the new cancer machine is accessible to low-income earning Kenyans?

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