Spare Cash for Cancer War, MPs Told

28 June 2011

Nairobi — Parliament has been asked to set aside funds for the purchase of three radiotherapy machines for cancer treatment.

The petition presented to the House Budget committee by lawyer Mumbi Ngugi of Albinism Foundation of East Africa and Kituo Cha Sheria executive director Priscilla Nyokabi also called for the provision of sunscreen in public hospitals for albinos.

“This would make it easier for the government to supply them with the much-needed sunscreen lotion and reduce their chances of developing cancer,” said Ms Nyokabi.

The committee chaired by Elias Mbau heard that there were about 8,000 albinos in Kenya and 97 per cent of those who attend schools for the blind were not blind.

The House team is currently hearing petitions from organisations and the public on budgetary allocations not provided for in this year’s Budget.

Ms Ngugi said cancer patients around the country were forced to travel to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for treatment and most of them could not afford it.

The group pegged the cost of lotions at Sh100 million per year and that of radiotherapy machines at Sh50 million each.

She said the machines should go to provincial hospitals in Nyanza and Coast, and another to KNH.

“We should make movements in the budget and make available the Sh300 million,” Dr Julius Kones said.

Mr Mbau said they would refer the matter to the Health committee, whose chair sits in the Budget committee.

Committee members Mutava Musyimi, Julius Koech, and Ekwe Ethuro said they were moved by the presentation and would take quick measures to meet the needs.

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