By Charles Muya | Programme Officer
CREATION OF AWARENESS ON CANCER AT ALL LEVELS IN KENYA – GG4551
PROJECT UPDATE REPORT- Q5
INTRODUCTION:
The Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) is the National umbrella body of over 35 registered cancer civil society organizations, spread throughout the country, active in various aspects of cancer control in Kenya and committed to a united approach to cancer control.
KENCO has been part of the GlobalGiving community since March 2020 through our project ‘Creating cancer awareness at various levels in Kenya.’ The project’s aim is to raise the levels of awareness on cancer and its management among health workers, patients, caregivers and the general public. The project will ensure that cancer education materials are consistently provided to patients and caregivers in cancer centres across the country by oncology health workers trained to effectively communicate with cancer patients. The project aims to train 60 health workers, print and distribute over 100 cancer counselling flipcharts to the health workers, print and distribute over 15,000 cancer and caregiver booklets and print and distribute over 50,000 cancer IECs for the general public.
To date, KENCO has managed to raise $15,865 (including bonuses) out of a target of $ 25,000.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
During the reporting period, KENCO has managed to achieve the following:
Distribution of Cancer Education Booklets for Patients and Caregivers
With the funds raised from GlobalGiving, and with further support from the American Cancer Society in response to the pressing need for the information booklets for those newly diagnosed with cancer, KENCO managed to distribute a total of 3,500 cancer education booklets and 8 counselling flipcharts to 5 partner health facilities and 1 Civil Society Organization during the reporting period. The health facilities will then distribute these booklets to newly diagnosed cancer patients or their caregivers. We believe that by empowering newly diagnosed cancer patients with information on cancer, we will relieve a bit of their anxiety, promote better management of the disease and thereby promoting healing/quality of life of these patients. They following is feedback that we have received from beneficiaries from Machakos Cancer Centre: “The cancer booklets are simplified and easy to understand and have helped to clear myths and misconception about cancer. The booklet has given me as a patient better understanding about my illness and treatment options”; “The booklets have enabled me to understand self-care more so in relation to nutrition and a well-balanced diet. The booklets are also very informative as regards to the roles and responsibility of care givers”.
Creation of awareness on cancer among the health workers and general public
KENCO, with support from other partners has continuously been raising public awareness on cancer through social and mass media platforms and through virtual/physical gatherings as follows:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
KENCO joined other stakeholders in commemorating breast cancer awareness month activities and took this opportunity to create awareness on cancer during the breast cancer awareness month as follows:
Health Workers Webinars
During the reporting period and with support from Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), 2 health workers webinars were held. The sole aim of the webinars was to sensitize the health workers on cancer prevention and management amongst older populations. Over 200 health workers were reached with information on cancer among older populations through the webinars.
Social Media Campaigns
From August 2021, KENCO has been undertaking a social media campaign on cancer amongst older populations where various messages on issues related to the topic have been shared on social media reaching over 30,000 people with the information. During various cancer commemoration months, KENCO also shares various messages on social media on cancers being commemorated, reaching thousands of people with information in the process.
FUTURE PLANS
Distribution of Materials
KENCO will continue monitoring supplies in partner health facilities and will be on standby to distribute more booklets to those facilities that need them. KENCO has planned a major round of distribution of materials in November 2021.
Creation of awareness on cancer through various channels – KENCO will continue to create awareness on cancer among the general public through various platforms including social media, mainstream media, virtual events, Physical events and through distribution of IEC materials.
CONCLUSION:
Improving cancer awareness among health workers, cancer patients and their caregivers gives hope to cancer patients and inspires them to positively accept their diagnosis and adhere to treatment regimens leading to better health outcomes and survivorship. Creating cancer awareness among the general public promotes cancer prevention and routine screening which will ensure early detection and assure better treatment outcomes. This will ultimately reduce the cancer burden in the country.We are grateful to all our donors who have continued to open their wallets and donate for us despite the economic uncertainties and difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that we shall continue to raise more funds in the GlobalGiving platform to enable us achieve the objectives of our project. We thank all our donors for being part our success so far and we believe that together we shall achieve our goal.
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