Sitting at the apex of Kenya’s health services, and having come face to face with the cruelty of cancer, he is worried about the chances of survival for those not as privileged as himself, who could afford long treatment abroad.
Why? Because, although he thanks God for his recovery - evidenced by his springy walk, upright gait and charming smile when he arrived home from treatment yesterday - he says Kenya is using technology discarded 20 years ago to fight cancer.
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| Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o is mobbed by relatives at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, yesterday moments after he arrived from US where he had traveled to seek treatment. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD] |
His focus will also be on the quality of healthcare programmes in the country, its affordability to the greatest number of Kenyans, and formulation of an insurance cover for the poor to access medical services.
"My experience is a wake-up call for us in Kenya to build comprehensive cancer care centers for our own people, and for the eastern Africa region. I know we can do it if we begin by walking the talk," said Nyong’o.
The Minister, who left the country last December, said his predicament as a cancer patient served to highlight some deficiencies in the provision of medical services in Kenya, and their disparities.
With his wife Dorothy literally at his right hand, Nyong’o took his seat, reflected on his close shave and thanked God for it, then prepared to tell the country the story of his battle with prostrate cancer. He had just landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from the US, and into the waiting arms of friends and relatives.
"It is through the Grace of God that I am here today. But what kept me going while undergoing treatment in the US were the emails I continuously received from Kenyans. I praise God for this," said the Minister in whose absence President Kibaki had picked an acting minister.
He looked cheerful, albeit reflective, probably because of the traumatic experience his medical condition put him through. He, however, declared he would not shy to share with Kenyans his progress. He also reminded journalists present of the fact that, unlike many public figures that wade through various ailments in secrecy, he chose to go public as a way of demystifying his condition, and to encourage Kenyans to undergo frequent medical check-ups.
It was in one of his check-ups that he came to know he was suffering from prostrate cancer, which he says is a leading killer of men, if not detected and treated early.
"Currently prostrate cancer is one of the leading killers in our country, but we are not ready to talk about it. This is sad because when prostrate cancer is detected in its early stage, it can be treated through radiation or surgery by modern science and technology. I hope by talking openly about it, I would start a conversation around it,’’ he told The Standard correspondent in the US last week.
Yesterday, he kept to this script, while appreciating that Kenya’s cancer treatment is backward and outdated, as he spoke to the media and members of the public at JKIA. He also declared he was now well and ready to resume his duties.
expensive procedure
His speech shifted attention to the hapless Kenyans struck by cancer, but who have to queue for months for their turn in the old-fashioned, and often non-functioning radiology machines, at great cost, and often with the fear the expensive procedure won’t stop death lurking in the shadows.
The minister revealed he would dedicate most of his energies to helping Kenyans suffering from prostrate cancer and other diseases. He also promised he would push for a national social health insurance scheme for all Kenyans, irrespective of their social status, so that all can access treatment. "I decided to go public on my condition because I feel prostate cancer is a social thing and not a personal one. I was also fortunate because I have a health insurance. What we need is proper planning, social investment and technology, for us to realise our dream," said Nyong’o.
He said as Kenyans become more affluent, their health status would inevitably change. Health policy for Kenya will change from infectious diseases associated with poor economic status to ‘lifestyle’ diseases for the affluent, such as cancer, diabetes and stroke, he explained.
"As of today it is regrettable that despite an already heavy cancer burden in the country, there is no existing Cancer Control Policy. Although we had some of the brightest minds around in terms of medical science, we had not availed them opportunities for continuous medical education: hence quite often they performed well below their potential," said Minister with regret.
While at the University of California in San Francisco’s Mount Zion Medical Centre in the US, where he underwent Intensive Modulated Radiation (IMRT), Nyong’o revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and after taking annual physical health examination for several years.
Yesterday he narrated how he phoned President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga asking for time-off to leave the country for treatment.
"For most Kenyans, prostate cancer is a very expensive affair, currently only possible in private hospitals. Anyone would be surprised to know that very little focus is placed on geriatric services in Kenya, leave alone cancer,’’ said the Political Science Professor.
He then lamented: "Old men in Kenya are more likely to die from cancers of the throat or prostate, yet Government hospitals do not have diagnostic facilities for these conditions."
Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno, who was appointed to act in his docket during his absence, was on hand to hand back the baton to Prof Nyong’o.
Miraculous work
He conveyed to him Kibaki’s and Raila’s joy on his safe return, and declared he had surrendered his ‘ministership’ back to him. "I was made to act in this ministry, but as soon as the plane carrying the minister touched down, I ceased acting as the Medical Services minister," joked Otieno.
Nyong’o’s wife described him as the pillar he leaned on throughout the difficult time, and thanked Kenyans for their messages of good and God for healing her husband.
"All I can say is to thank God who has been faithful throughout this journey, His miraculous work has helped in the healing of my husband," she added.
But ever the politician, Nyong’o vowed he was back and ready to take his full responsibility as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement, and warned those undermining his party leadership he was "ready for battle".
Said Nyong’o: "As ODM secretary general, I am back and ready to take my responsibility. I want to tell those who have been rocking our party when I was away to know that I am well and they should prepare for battle."
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