Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday challenged stakeholders in the health sector to raise awareness on prostate cancer.

Statistics show that one in every nine men in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya included, is a potential candidate for the cancer.

Speaking at Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho, Gachagua said awareness on prostate cancer will inform timely interventions to save lives.

Health facility records show most men present themselves for treatment at advanced stages of the disease.

The DP even suggested Kenya should adopt one month for prostate cancer awareness akin to the October Breast Cancer sensitisation period.

Some countries, he revealed, have adopted September as the Prostate Cancer awareness month.

“We are ready to engage and propel such life-saving conversations….and in this regard, I challenge the stakeholders herein to also elevate awareness on Prostate Cancer for our men to be tested early,” he said as he set the ball rolling for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) conference  week ahead of Friday’s Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kericho Green Stadium.

President William Ruto will preside over the event.

Late diagnosis

In Kenya, prostate cancer is ranked as the most common cancer in males at 17.3 per cent and 10.2 per cent of all the other cancers. Studies attribute the late diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer to existence of barriers.

The DP who also certified Kericho County Referral Hospital as a Level 5 health facility, noted that raising awareness on testing and treatment of Breast Cancer this month, has been seen to contribute to reducing mortality by between 25 and 39 per cent over the last decade.

“While we are registering such progress, we note that one in every nine men in sub-Saharan Africa-Kenya included-is a potential candidate for Prostate Cancer,” he said.  Gachagua observed that there is no regret in innovation, as well as waste in exploring and testing and incubating new ideas.

In this regard, he praised Kericho county for integrating into its health care system, the Primary Health Care Network tool.

This, he noted, will progressively contribute to data collection on various diseases and other medical conditions.

“It is crucial in strategic and targeted planning, more so in resource allocation as we seek to reap from preventive health interventions,” he said.

He called on the Kericho Level 5 health facility, alongside Kapkatet Hospital, to redefine medical services in the region.

“Besides creating a favourable environment for research and incubation of medical innovations, students will have an opportunity of shaping and sharpening their skills,” the DP said.

Digital platforms

Gachagua noted that while such institutions may not have top-notch facilities, they may be required to leverage other research institutions like the Kenya Medical Research Institute in nurturing ideas to medical-break-throughs.

“Furthermore, integration of the Electronic Community Health Information System and other digital platforms require more research to improve and sustain such structures,” he said.

The DP also said the government will expand the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) programme to reach all the households in the country to enhance earlier detection of diseases.

He noted that the 100, 000 Community Health Promoters have been fully kitted and will visit homes for promotive and preventive healthcare.  “The cost of treatment is nine times more than the cost of preventing diseases. The Community Health Promoters will be going home to home doing tests. We ask our people to welcome them because it is less costly to prevent diseases than to treat,” he said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said they will ensure the programme succeeds for quicker realisation of the Universal Health Coverage.

“We thank the President and the Deputy President for fully supporting the programme. They have been the leading champions. This year the Community Health Promoters will receive a stipend beginning this month,” she said.