PSCU
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to embrace active lifestyle as the first line of defence against non-communicable diseases such as cancer.
She said physical exercise has many benefits to the wellbeing of the body, most importantly the prevention of illnesses.
“Let us be proactive and embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. This way, we will help keep cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure at bay,” she said.
The First Lady was speaking yesterday at Engineer in Nyandarua county where she launched the 4th Beyond Zero Medical Safari where thousands of residents will receive various free medical services during the three-day camp that started on Wednesday.
She, at the same, underscored the importance of cancer screening and early detection in combating the disease that has become a major concern in the country.
“Cancer screening for breast, cervical and prostrate saves lives. I am encouraged to see that today many men and women have come out for the free screening,” she said.
She commended the government for putting in place additional measures to fight cancer, including increased budgetary allocation and the number of health centres for chemotherapy and radiology across the country.
“The aim is to make services more accessible to all Kenyans as well as improving the pricing and availability of drugs,” she said and affirmed her commitment to promoting the health of babies and children.
“As a mother, I know the pain child illnesses cause. That is why I have prioritised the well-being of babies and children in my work by promoting pre and post-natal check-ups for mothers to enable them to deliver healthy babies,” the First Lady said.
She also spoke on the need for children born with disabilities to be protected and commended the National Council for People with Disability for registering them.
The First Lady praised Nyandarua, that boasts of 86 per cent safe delivery rate, saying it is a leading example in the promotion of maternal health.
