Over 120 cancer patients are supported by Needy Cancer Health Initiative founded to provide moral support to those who have diagonised with the disease.
The initiative is a darling to families with cancer patients as they have access to food while their NHIF cards are paid through a Sh1.2 million kitty mobilized by well-wishers and friends.
Ms Jennifer Jelimo, a beneficiary of the project, says she has been assisted with payments of hospital bills and placing food on her table in times of distress
Jelimo, a resident of Eldoret City says the initiative mentored her mentored and encouraged her to have confidence in herself after she was diagnosed with the disease a year ago.
” Through the group, the cancer survivors come together and mentorship programmes, where we are also educated on the right diet among other health concerns,” said Jelimo.
She admits that her NHIF card is fully paid for by the friends of the initiative after it had been a challenge to her family.
” Women with breast cancer are given the right wear to ensure they are comfortable,” she said adding that the survivors get calls from the leadership of the group to monitor how they are going and if they are attending clinics.
The family of James Kamau said their mother Mary Ngina is among the beneficiaries of the initiative where her NHIF contribution is paid monthly, and gets other crucial benefits that have supported her treatment.
Kamau said the family approached the initiative for support after she was diagnosed with stage three cancer after three years of searching for effective treatment.
“We have incurred heavy costs to facilitate treatment but through the grace of God there is a relief owing to the support of NHIF contribution,” said Kamau.
Scholar Gichiu said she has been getting support from the initiative which has been her pillar since she was diagnosed with cancer.
Ms. Gichiu said there was a need for the community to be encouraged to screen to help tame the disease.
“We are moving to reach other people encouraging them to turn up for early cancer screening to avoid the last-minute rush,” she said.
Yesterday, initiative executive director Ms Nana Kilemi a breast cancer survivor said they are involved in soliciting foodstuff from well-wishers and friends for distribution to depressed families.
The programme, she said also caters to the support of cancer patients by providing them with counseling and mentorship to ensure they abide by the conditions set by the doctors attending them.
Kilemi, a cancer survivor, appreciates the government’s intervention in the treatment of the disease through the provision of a Sh12,000 package for accessing treatment in two years.
Nana said owing to the depressed economic condition in the country, she has converged with her friends and well-wishers who raised monthly NHIF contributions as a relief to cancer patients.
She said she formed the cancer patients forum, with the core business of helping these patients with NHIF payments.
“ In one year we pay NHIF contribution for 120 patients through the mobilization of excess of Sh1.2 million, through local fundraising through friends and well-wishers,” said Nana.
She said that to keep the group lively, she formed a WhatsApp group where the friends contribute Sh1,000 per month.
“ Every week we have a programme to collect Sh100 from the friends of the group designed to support the patients with nutrition foods and fruits,” she said.
She pleads with Kenyans to be active in supporting cancer patients as many families had their resources drained as they catered to their sick relatives and friends.
The burden left to families, she adds, remains enormous as they remain with huge medical bills.
“ Most of the families have sold their properties and are now left at the mercy of friends and relatives as they moved to care for their loved ones in the hour of need,” said Nana.
