In Kenya, most Kenyans are aware that October is the month that signifies Breast Cancer awareness and several campaigns in Kenya have been held throughout the years to support the victims of cancer in Kenya, and also raise awareness to ensure early detection of cancer, and it mostly is signified with the pink ribbon. But if you ask any ordinary mwanainchi in Kenya when the Testicular cancer or prostate cancer awareness month is in Kenya, many will look at you with blank faces or give wild guesses.

November is the worldwide male cancer awareness month that seeks to raise awareness on testicular and prostate cancer which are the two that most affect men. Testicular cancer in Kenya is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system and has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: a five-year survival rate in excess of 90 percent overall, and almost 100 percent if it has not spread. Testicular cancer in Kenya is more common in younger men, aged between 15 and 40 years, though it can occur at any age.

The Movember prostate cancer awareness campaign in Kenya has combined efforts from many organizations and individuals in Kenya to increase cancer awareness among men in Kenya. Though with the lack of widespread awareness, Kenyans are slowly becoming aware of the need to take various steps to prevent testicular and prostate cancer and media outlets and medical practitioners are trying their best to disseminate the information to the greater population in Kenya.

In Kenya, awareness of male cancer is mainly done by the survivors of the cancer such as current Kisumu Senator in Kenya, Anyang’ Nyong’o who has helped boost awareness among men in Kenya. Since then, people have come forward to be tested especially through wellness checks funded by  various insurance companies in Kenya and corporates such as Africa Cancer Association http:/www.africacancerfoundation.org/ in Kenya and Med Access in Kenya which is located in Landmark Plaza on Argwings Kodhek Road in Nairobi. The First Lady of Kenya also urged Men in Kenya to go for cancer screening during the launch of cancer of the reproductive organs awareness month.  This is together with the ministry of health in Kenya that affirms prostate cancer in Kenya is the most common form of the disease afflicting men in Kenya, besides Kaposi’s sarcoma, a HIV-associated skin cancer. The Movember campaign in Kenya is being held by medical officials across Kenya.

The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board of Kenya has also set fee guidelines for 2013, a prostate cancer tests should cost between Sh2,100 and Sh3,600 in Kenya. The prostate cancer test in Kenya is available in level E & level F specialised laboratories found in various. One can also go for full screening and diagnosis at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya that has the most equipped cancer center in Kenya.

The prostate cancer awareness is being popularized, globally, with an awareness campaign known as ‘Movember’. The spirit of Movember in Kenya is to have men grow moustaches during the month as part of raising awareness about the cancers that affect men. The Movember campaign in Kenya is advocating for early detection of cancer among men in Kenya.

Just as a breast exam in Kenya, Movember campaign advises Kenyans to do a Testicular self-exam in Kenya to help in early detection. The Movember campaign in Kenya inform men all over the country to check for prostate cancer every month. Most instructions on how to self examine for testicle cancer in Kenya can be found online on medical sites in Kenya such as; http://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/testicular-cancer-self-exams-at-home and http://www.healthcommunities.com/testicular-cancer/testes-self-exam.shtml

Kenyans can also go to the nearest Hospitals in Kenya such as Kenyatta hospital in Nairobi which is located on Ragati Road in Upper Hill in Nairobi, Nairobi hospital which is located on Argwings Kodhek Road in Hurlingham part of Nairobi or any other government hospital or private hospital in Kenya that can help you with the process.

 The Movember campaign in Kenya advocates that if at all it is possible, all men in Kenya should have their doctors examine their scrotum/testes at least once a year whether or not they have a problem, as part of routine physical examination in Kenya to help detect and ensure that the reproductive organs are in a healthy state. However, if you do notice a problem during yourself examination in Kenya, between annual check-ups, men in Kenya are advised to go to the doctor for further care immediately.

So what can we Kenyans do to raise awareness on male cancers? Well it all starts with you, for the men you now know what to do to ensure a healthy future and for the women spread the word to a brother, friend  and any male that you are close to, and together we can manage cancer as a nation before it’s too late, and with that have a healthy ‘Movember ‘.

 

Precautions that should be taken during MRI Imaging and its Benefits.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure carried out in kenya to view the internal body structures with the aim of diagnosing a disease condition, commonly in cancer patients. This technique uses very strong oscillating and static magnetic fields in conjunction with electromagnetic radiation. During MRI procedure patients and staff are exposed to strong rapidly changing magnetic fields and this can be a predisposing factor as far as neurological and deleterious physiological responses are concerned. In some cases the patients or the staff may suffer burns due to heat generated by the oscillating radiofrequency.

Having these in mind, both staffs and the patients should adhere to the following during an MRI imaging procedure;

 

a)     Avoid entering with a Magnetic material in the imaging room.

 

Most of the magnets used in the MRI are very strong (0.5-5 Tesla) and generates an equally strong magnetic field. Therefore any magnetic object will be attracted towards the magnets and may move at a seed of a shot bullet. Objects such as wrist watches, spectacles, belt, scissors or any metallic object should be removed first before entering the MRI imaging room.

 

b)     Carefully follow instructions issued by the radiologist

 

Patients are usually instructed before, during and after the procedure. It is important to note that by following the instructions chances of repeating the procedure is minimized which would otherwise expose the patient and the radiologist to radiation effects.

 

 

 

 

c)      Rise an alarm if you have a metallic implant

 

Entering the imaging room with an implant is not allowed since may result to tissue damage as the metal is attracted by the magnet. Patients therefore should provide medical records to the doctor for history to be taken.

 

d)     Carefully read and adhere to warning signs

 

The MRI room is usually labeled with warning signs at the door. These warnings include; screening for metallic objects and the procedure to take in case of an emergency as well as restricted public access.

 

e)     Good in-house practices by personnel

The staff and other personnel working in or around the MRI room should also take precaution. They must observe the warnings and precautions by being screened for magnetic objects.

 

Why use MRI other than other imaging Techniques.

MRI uses non-ionizing forms of energy therefore reducing chances of occurrence of radiation induced cancer. The ability of magnetic field to penetrate all body tissues makes this technique important since diagnoses of disease is possible in all types of tissues. A clear image of the targeted tissues is achieved with MRI due to multiple sources of contrast as well as multiple planar as images may be produced in any desired plane.

Hypertension is one of the common diseases in adults and it is mostly associated with people above 50 years of age. Most of the old people attending hospital in Kenya have high blood pressure yet they do not know. It is after taking the measurement that the disease is detected.

Hypertension can lead to rupture of small blood vessels, hence eye, renal and heart complications, ascitis, liver failure and so on. It can also lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke.

The causes of hypertension are not very clear, but there are some predisposing factors. These include heart disease, liver and kidney disease and eclampsia in pregnancy. In many individuals, hypertension has a genetic predisposition. A stressful lifestyle can also contribute to hypertension.

Hypertension is confirmed when there is an increase of over 20mm Hg diastolic pressure on more than two occasions. That means that the individual is measured on different days and the increase is persistent. This can be done at level 3 to level 6 of the health care system in Kenya.

The management involves the use of drugs and modification of one’s lifestyle. The drugs commonly used are diuretics, blood vessel dilators, centrally acting drugs, and beta-blockers. The more familiar names are aldomet (methyldopa), Inderal (propranolol), lasix (Frusemide), and captopril. The management of hypertension is done from a health centre level to referral level. District hospitals, provincial hospitals and referral hospital in Kenya are the place where compications of hypertension can be done.

The objective is to decrease the intravascular volume, decrease the force of contraction and decrease peripheral resistance. This is intended to decrease the amount of work being performed by the heart.

The preventive message given to the patient with hypertension is:

• Regular checkups.
• Compliance with drugs.
• Modification of lifestyle.

 

Malaria is a disease that is affecting and eventually killing many kenya citizens. The disease has killed quite a number of people making it hard for them to continue their daily operations in mutual peace and conditions they deserve. It has come to the attention of many people that the disease can kill one within a very short period of time hence should be controlled to avoid further build up of problems. The following sets of steps are the most effective in controlling the disease.

Use of Mosquito Nets

The nets have been designed in such a way that they can inhibit mosquitoes from invading a certain person and causing harm to them. It has come to the attention of many that those who sleep without the protection offered by mosquito nets often become victims to the disease and the outcomes will result in severe suffering of malaria. It is therefore important for one to get better ways of having nets and prevent the bites from mosquitoes.

Spraying and Draining Stagnant water

Mosquitoes love breeding in places that have water. It is good if the initiative to stop the mosquitoes from affecting other people in the area. Water that accumulates should be drained and left to move to other places far from homestead or they should be sprayed well with the recommended chemicals to avoid infecting people.

Clearing Bushes and Slashing Grass

Most mosquitoes will breed well in places that have long grass and bushes that have not been slashed. The continuous build up of these insects will lead to them affecting people in the nearby home stead hence making them encounter a lot of hardships that come with the infection of malaria parasites. The leaving behind of long gasses is dangerous and should be avoided by the use of slathers and loan mowers to cut grass and clear bushes.

Using Mosquito coils

The coils contain a chemical that kills mosquitoe shwen they inhale a certain type of substance and it will continually affect the surrounding people in a more negative way.

 

Kakamega Provincial General Hospital is a provincial hospital for the former Western province in Kenya. Kakamega Provincial General Hospital in Kenya is level five hospitals in the health care delivery system in Kenya. Kakamega PGH in Kenya is in the heart of the Kenyan western region making it accessible to many people in the region.

Kakamega provincial general hospital (PGH) in Kenya is located in Kakamega town, which is situated 55 kilometers from Kisumu city of Kenya. Kakamega PGH is now the Kakamega County referral hospital in Kenya, because it is located in Kakamega town in Kenya, which is the headquarters of the current Kakamega County. Kakamega County in Kenya is the second populated county in Kenya and hence, the hospital services a lot of people from all corners of the Kakamega County.

The Kakamega PGH in Kenya is 1KM from Kakamega CBD (central business district) and a person can use various ways to get to the hospital. The Kakamega PGH is also 500 meters from the Kakamega – Kisumu Road on the way to Shinyalu Centre in Kenya. If you are travelling from Kakamega to Kisumu city in Kenya, there is a sign post indicating the direction of the Kakamega PGH after the Kakamega police divisional headquarters in Kenya. The road that leads to the Kakamega PGH is on the left from Kakamega and it is between the Kakamega police divisional headquarter and Kakamega administration headquarter in Kenya.

There is another road which can lead one to Kakamega PGH in Kakamega. The road is branching from the main Kakamega roundabout on the Kakamega – Kisumu Road but on the left side. The main round about is opposite the Kakamega County headquarter offices in Kakamega and the Yako supermarket in Kakamega. This road will lead to another around about (200 meters from the main Kakamega roundabout) on the way to Shinyalu Center in Kenya, but you will be required to turn on the left side (this way passes through the Kakamega County office in Kenya and Kakamega High Court in Kenya). Once you reach Kakamega High Court in Kenya, you will join the road from the Kakamega – Kisumu road, and this road will lead to the Kakamega Provincial General Hospital.

The motorcycles and bicycles are the main means of transport to the Kakamega provincial general hospital in Kakamega, although sometimes vehicles are boarded in times of emergency conditions. These motorcycles and bicycles to Kakamega PGH are located outside the Yako supermarket in Kakamega and near the Masinde Muliro garden in Kakamega. The motorcycles charge Kshs.50 to Kakamega PGH while bicycles charge Kshs.30 to get to Kakamega PGH. Those who do not need emergency services can walk on foot and it takes only 20 minutes from the Kakamega CBD.

For further assistance, you can call the Kakamega PGH hospital in Kakamega using the phone number +254720295739.

Kenyan government is still in the arguments for and against traditional healers; it is in the process of regulating herbal medicine. The use of plants as medicine has been used for decades by human beings in healing several ailments which exist among humanity. The processing of the medicine has been passed from generation to generation. Many Kenyans no longer use the herbal medicine due to introduction of pharmaceutical medicine. Most herbalists have testified that the herbal medicine is effective. Some Kenyans believe that herbal medicine is witchcraft since most traditional witchdoctors use plant related medicine to heal. The challenge to most herbalists is that they don’t have enough financial support to run their projects in the market.

East West Medical Center

Chinese clinic, it is located in Jameson Court, ground floor room A3 along Ngong road, Call: 0722 307 192.

Makini Herbal Clinic

The clinic is located at Trishul towers first floor, Call: 0722 523 934.

Oriental Chinese Herbal Clinic

The clinic is located in Oriental chines premises opposite Sarit Center, lower Kabete road, call: 0722221365.

Yao Shun Chinese Clinic

It is located in Meki place room A4 opposite prestige plaza along Ring road. Call: 0721 435 305.

Chinese General Clinic

The clinic is located in Hurlingham medical plaza, Argwins Khodhek road, mobile: 0722 837 386.

Winners Herbal Clinic

It is located along Tom Mboya street, Call: +254 202214798.

Right Herbal Clinic and Mystic clinic

It located behind Marie stopes 1st Avenue, P. O Box 70873 00400 along Tom Mboya Street.

Coconut oil

The scientific name is Cocos nucifera, the herb is used as a healing remedy for bruises, cuts, skin infection and damaged skin, it is not like other oils because it is composed of fatty acids and it works wonders for dry skin.

Indian Coleus

It is a tropical and perennial plant it is Traditional medicinal plant commonly used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, losing weight, treating digestion problems and increasing nutrient absorption efficiency it also supports immune system.

Eleuthero Root

Chinese call it Ci-wu-jia or Wu Jia Shen Jing it is commonly used by Chinese herbalists, the herb helps in increasing vitality and energy, it treats respiratory and various infections, the Chinese herbalists use it to infertile couples to boost their fertility.

Garcinia Fruit

Brindle berry contains Hydroxy citric Acid (HCA) it is a Tropical tree, the acidity in the fruit is used as weight control remedy, the acid has the ability to inhibit formation of fatty acid and this slows the storage of fat because less fat will be available for body storage

Cayenne Pepper

This is African pepper commonly found in processed form of chilies, it is a tender shrub and the fruit which comes in for of green berries which turn red when mature, the extract is used as herb to reduce nerve pain and arthritis, is also works to patients of low blood pressure.           

Eucalyptus

The oil is good in relieving pain and cold and chest congestion it is also a treatment to sore muscles.

Ginger Root

It is a good herb which is also used as a spice, it is absorbed fast in the blood system and it has chemicals which heals various diseases.

Rosemary

Is known to reduce mental fatigue thus increasing concentration and memory.

Turmeric 

This is an aromatic stimulant commonly used to manufacture curry powder, the turmeric fight against breast cancer and arthritis.

Lodwar is the current headquarters of Turkana County. Since it is centrally placed many people tend to travel to this town for many services of which health care is one of them. Because it is the only hospital in the entire county that has better health care facilities, it therefore serves referrals from other hospital facilities as a referral hospital.

Lodwar county referral hospital was formerly known as Lodwar district hospital and is located in Lodwar town along Lodwar – Lokichoggio highway. It has a bed capacity of 270 and 36 cots.

The services offered at Lodwar county referral hospital includes:

• Curative in – patient services.

• Curative out – patients.

• Maternal and child health services.

• Antiretroviral therapy.

• HIV testing and counselling.

• Pharmaceutical services (pharmacy).

• Laboratory services.

• X – Ray services.

There are wards for men and women so as to cater for all the patients admitted to the hospitals for further management or close observations. There is also a theater for surgical procedures to take care of those who are admitted because of surgical implications and are then managed further after surgery.

Out – patient are those patients who come with minor illness which are then treated and patients are allowed to go back home because those illness are not complicated.

This hospital takes care of mothers and children in a unit known as MCH (maternal and child health) where there is antenatal clinics for pregnant women, family planning clinic for postnatal mothers and immunization unit for children under the age of five years.

The comprehensive care centre (CCC) and visit centre takes care for those clients who come to this hospital for HIV testing and counselling. Those clients who diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are then put under antiretroviral therapy and continue with other management.

The x – ray department deals with general body x – rays and ultra sound and other services such as laboratory tests are also carried out within the hospital to assist in making diagnosis of various diseases. The pharmacy department is the one supplying medications to the entire hospital fraternity and also out- patients who buy their drugs on their way home.

Lodwar county referral hospital can be contacted through:

Lodwar county referral hospital,

P.O. Box 18 – 30500, Lodwar, Kenya.

Telephone number: 054 21073 or 054 21077

Cell phone: 0711221164

 

St. Marry’s hospital is a private hospital in kenya owned by the Catholic Secretariat. The hospital is located in near Mumias town at Ekero along Kakamega Bungoma highway. This facility is one of the most resourceful hospitals in Kakamega County and serves a large population of people in Mumias and the neighbouring districts.

The hospital is both a health promoting as well as learning center. The main services offered in the facility include;

1)      Family planning,

The hospital has a wing where antenatal and family planning services are offered.

2)      Curative in-patient

The hospital has incorporated in-patients services. This is made possible by the well-organized ward facilities.

3)      Antiretroviral therapy

The hospital has a care center for the HIV AIDS patients where they are given antiretroviral medication.

4)      Immunization.

The hospital also has an immunization unit facility where children are immunized.

The hospital is an important referral centre in kenya for patients from the neighbouring health facilities such as Makunga.Just next to the hospital is the St. Mary’s school of Clinical Medicine and surgery. The hospital is a great asset to this learning institution as it provides conducive environment for students to practice, learn and acquire new skills and experience. The school offers a course in clinical medicine and surgery at diploma level. The course takes duration of three and a half years. In addition, students from various colleges get opportunity to carry out their clinical attachments at the hospital. These mainly include students pursuing nursing, medical laboratory sciences and clinical medicine either at certificate, diploma or degree level.