Over 3,500 residents of Taita Taveta County received critical healthcare services at a specialised medical camp hosted by the M-PESA Foundation in partnership with Zuri Health.
The camp, held at Moi Voi Stadium, focused on cancer screening and awareness, providing much-needed healthcare support to the community.
As part of a broader effort to raise cancer awareness, the M-PESA Foundation has committed KES 36 million to conduct four cancer-themed medical camps across Kenya, aligning with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
These camps aim to provide screening services for breast, prostate, cervical, and colon cancer, addressing the growing need for early detection and treatment in underserved areas.
Speaking on the initiative, Patricia Ithau, Trustee of the M-PESA Foundation, emphasized the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer. “Out of the 26-plus medical camps we’ve conducted across Kenya since May last year, over 3,500 patients have been screened for cancer, and 300 have been referred for treatment after suspected cases of either breast, cervical, or prostate cancer,” she said. “We decided to hold cancer-themed medical camps this October to raise awareness, provide financial support to cancer patients, and increase referrals to cancer facilities for advanced care.”
The Taita Taveta camp offered various services, including nutritional and psychosocial support for individuals diagnosed with or at risk of cancer.
Telemedicine played a key role, enabling patients to consult with oncologists remotely. To further ensure continued care, the foundation has committed to providing free one-year medical cover for up to 20 cancer patients diagnosed at each camp.
This camp was the second cancer-themed medical event hosted by the M-PESA Foundation this month, following a similar initiative in Nairobi. The foundation will expand its efforts to Homa Bay and Murang’a counties in the coming weeks, continuing to bring quality healthcare services to more regions.
While the focus was on cancer, the medical camps addressed a range of health needs within the community. In partnership with Zuri Health, Lion’s Sightfirst Eye Hospital, and county governments, the camp offered eye care consultations, fistula screening, general doctor consultations, diabetes and hypertension screening, and health services for the elderly and children.
At the Taita Taveta camp, 45 patients were screened for breast, cervical, and colon cancer, while over 3,000 patients received general medical consultations. Essential medications and advice on managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension were also provided free of charge.
“In addition to cancer care, we address general health needs by offering free medical consultations, essential drugs, and screening services for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, as well as dental and eye care,” Ithau concluded.
As Kenya continues to grapple with increasing cancer cases, particularly in rural areas, initiatives like these are critical in promoting early detection, ensuring timely treatment, and making healthcare accessible to all, particularly those in underserved communities.