Dr Festus Njuguna, in charge of the pediatric oncology unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, explains that not all elective surgeries are non-urgent, and not all are minor. Some delayed surgeries, though, may cause harm, especially in aggressive forms of cancers.
Harm is also in delayed diagnosis. Marian Wangui, from Githunguri in Kiambu County, found a lump under her breast. In fear, the 41-year-old sought medical advice and was instructed to go for tests in July 2020. She got a breast ultrasound at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, but it took months for the results to return. The anguish of waiting was unbearable as “I feared that if it was cancer, and that it would spread,” recalled Wangui adding that she had no choice but to refer herself to the Kenyatta National Hospital on December 2, 2020. A month later, results revealed she had Stage Two breast cancer. Chemotherapy was scheduled right away.
Counties to start giving Covid-19 jabs this week standardmedia.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from standardmedia.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dr Amoth, referred to as recipient 001, received the jab at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Friday.
Healthworkers in line at the KNH before getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 on Friday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Addressing the press after his shot, Dr Amoth said heaviness in the arm or a slight headache are some of the mild side effects of the jab.
The second person to be vaccinated was KNH chief executive Dr Evanson Kamuri, who was followed by a nurse at the hospital.
Also receiving the jab was the Immunisation and Vaccine head Dr Collins Tabu.
A medic prepares to give a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca at the KNH on Friday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]