NSE-listed cement maker Bamburi has partnered with Mombasa County to set up a Sh18 million cancer treatment centre at the Coast General Hospital.
The move makes it the third fully-fledged public cancer facility in Kenya after those at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
The Bamburi Cement Cancer Centre, which was unveiled today, is the first in the County and is set to make it easier for patients at the coast to conveniently access treatment.
It is also expected to help ease pressure off Kenyatta and Moi hospitals.
“The unit will see patients access specialised equipment including chemotherapy and will also serve as an information hub for cancer prevention,” Bamburi MD Eric Kironde said at the centre’s unveiling on Friday.
“This being the first cancer centre in the Coast region, it is a relief to cancer patients who initially received referral services only in public hospitals and patients who had to seek treatment and management services either in private hospitals, which are generally costly, or travel to other centers across the country.”
Specialised equipment
The new facility has been installed with specialised cancer treatment machines including a chemotherapy hood, seven chemotherapy chairs, three consultations rooms and a drug preparation room.
In addition, it has a treatment room, furniture and various medical fittings.
The County Government lauded the partnership as a milestone for residents of Mombasa as they will no longer strain to seek treatment for the deadly illness.
“We thank Bamburi Cement for renovating and equipping the Cancer Center as this presents a great milestone to Mombasa County and will ensure that patients will have access to specialised cancer treatment and management services,” Mombasa Health executive Hazel Koitaba said.
The idea for a new cancer unit at the hospital was first incepted in 2016 by the cement maker and Mombasa County.
Construction began early this year and was completed by mid-2017.
The devolved unit, which says it has trained specialised doctors in cancer treatment and management abroad, will oversee its maintenance and payment of staff.
The facility is expected to attend to at least 3 million people in the region.
