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The agony of breast cancer patient with doctors nowhere in sight

By PHILIP BWAYO January 18th, 2017 2 min read

A breast cancer patient at Sirende village in Trans Nzoia County has recounted her agony over the last few months even as the doctors’ strikes continues.

Mrs Fridah Nanjala almost died last year after being operated on at her home by a native doctor who was masquerading as a health expert from the Kenyatta National Hospital.

After her near death experience, Mrs Nanjala has now resorted to taking pain killers since the cost of medication in private facilities is beyond her capability.

“I only learnt that he (the native doctor) was not qualified after I survived death. I went into comma after he finished his surgery that was performed in my house,” Mrs Nanjala recounted.

The mother of three was later treated at the Kitale County Referral Hospital where the wound on her breast was dressed but she could not tell whether she was suffering from cancer by then.

MEDICATION

“We only learnt she was suffering from breast cancer after tests were conducted at a private facility in Eldoret town. Doctors recommended that the affected breast needed to be chopped off,” said her husband, Mr George Barasa.

Nanjala has been surviving on medication only meant to suppress pain caused by the disease while her family tries to marshal resources to enable her undergo the necessary treatment.

“The ongoing strike has made the cases worse for us because medical costs have gone up at private facilities. We are currently giving her pain killers to relieve the pain as we bank on God’s mercies” said the husband.

Trans Nzoia county director of medical services Dr Welime Kisiang’ani said cancer patients are worst hit by the ongoing strike since there is no hospital within the county whether public or private that has the capacity to offer treatment.

“The nearest place the patient can get the services is in Eldoret town in Uasin Gishu county but it comes at a cost she can’t meet,” Dr Kisiang’ani told the Nation.