- Almost 13 MPs and Senators from Kenya have been having multiple treatments at the different outlets of Apollo Hospital in India.
- Amongst them Francis Munyua Waititu, the MP of Juja, has received a successful brain cancer treatment at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital during his 7 weeks stay in the country.
- According to Waititu, in stead of seeking proper treatment, people in Kenya keep it a secret because of the stigma involved with chronic disease of cancer.
- But, on the contrary, several Kenyans are to be found in different healthcare centres in India seeking treatment, he adds.
- Statistics explain that almost 40,000 Kenyans are affected by cancer and other malignancies and about 10,000 Kenyans travel abroad for their treatment each year.
- The conditions for which a treatment is majorly sought for are renal diseases, cancer, spine problems, joint issues, connective tissue disorders and vascular disorders.
- Apart from the dearth of medical expertise in the country, long waiting times also compel Kenyans to opt for medical travel.