SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST LADY OF

THE

REPUBLIC

OF

KENYA

PLENARY SESSION OF THE

AND

PROSTATE

CANCER

DURING

THE

JOINT

MAIN

9TH STOP CERVICAL, BREAST

IN

AFRICA

CONFERENCE

ON

TUESDAY,JULY 21, 2015 AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE KENYATTA

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, NAIROBI
Fellow First Ladies,
Conference Delegates,
Distinguished Guests,
Good Morning.
I am pleased to join the great minds gathered here today as we
chart the course that our people should take to bring back hope
and determination in the fight against cancer.
Our gathering here is a sure sign that the future is bright for those
that have in the past despaired as only through collaboration can
we find solutions that we seek.
I take this opportunity to first highlight the progress and
challenges that Kenya has encountered in the fight against
cervical, breast and prostate cancer.

Our efforts in fighting these cancers have progressed steadily

despite the challenges that are not unlike the ones you face in
your respective countries.
One of our major milestones was the inauguration of the National
Cancer Institute early this year to spearhead the fight against
cancer. This effort by the Government was of great significance as
it was a first in our country in terms of scale and resource
allocation.
We have seen improvement in the dissemination of information
regarding cervical, breast and prostate cancers to the population.
This has been through public communication campaigns and
cancer screening clinics. In addition, I have made Cancer
screening one of the priorities of the Beyond Zero campaign.
As a result, awareness has greatly increased, which in itself has
mitigated the burden on the families of those affected by the
dreaded disease.
Our progress has been helped by our success in building the
capacity among health workers, who have been extensively
trained in screening and management of cancers.
However, among the challenges we have faced, the most
prevalent is stigma. This is largely driven by traditional beliefs.

This has prevented many people from seeking medical help

through screening and diagnosis.
Many who have not benefited from available interventions and
whose cancer has not been detected early, have needlessly
succumbed to the illness.
The other impediment to our fight against these cancers is the
limited resources. However, even though the Government has
committed significant financial resources to this fight, we still lack
the crucial resource of knowledge.
Knowledge is needed on how to cure cancer and how to get a
vaccine that can prevent all forms of the disease. In the absence
of these, our efforts to prevent and mange this illness have been
adversely hampered.
However, despite these challenges, we are determined to work
hard to make sure we turn the tide.
For our nations to prosper, it is prudent that the population are
healthy. Healthy populations are by extension heathy nations.
In conclusion, I urge you to take the opportunity made possible by
this conference to see how best public and private sector
partnerships can be beneficial in sponsoring research into cures
and vaccines for cancer.

I look forward to hearing the presentations from fellow First Ladies

about the experiences in their home countries.
Thank you for your kind attention.