The construction of first cancer hospital in Kenya is set to begin following a groundbreaking ceremony by the first lady, Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta.
The hospital is a partnership between local entrepreneurs and General Electric Company.
The construction of the state-of-the-art treatment centre at Ridgeways in Kiambu County will cost US$ 20m and will cater for close to 10,000 cancer patients.
Dabbed Tesla Cancer Hospital, the cancer hospital in Kenya will incorporate diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and research and will have a foundation for underprivileged cancer patients. It will also have modern diagnostic equipment such as the cyclotron, which in Africa is only available in Egypt, Morocco and South Africa.
“Cyclotron technology will contribute to a more targeted and accurate cancer diagnosis, the availability of such advanced technology in cancer care and treatment is also bound to promote regional medical tourism while reducing the number of Kenyans having to travel abroad to access cancer treatment services.” said the First Lady.
Currently, the government has invested US$ 368m to equip 98 hospitals in all 47 counties with high-end medical equipment that will contribute to improved cancer diagnosis.