Kenya has two liver cancer specialized surgeons courtesy of the strong cordial bilateral relations with the French government.
According to Foreign and Diaspora affairs, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua the two doctors who received special training with support from the French government can undertake surgery for liver cancer which has a high mortality rate.
Speaking at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, MTRH where the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Economic attractiveness, and French Nationals abroad, Oliver Becht donated maternal and childcare equipment to the health facility, Dr. Mutua said the government had also requested 10 more doctors to be trained.
“During a bilateral meeting with the French minister I requested for 10 more doctors to be trained so that our people don’t have to die because of lack of expertise,” said the CS.
He added that there are considerations to have a hospital in Eldoret that will offer high-class treatment to the athletics community in the region saying it was unfortunate that counties such as Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet that produce internationally-rated athletes don’t have high-class sports medicine facility where the sportsmen and women can receive the highest standards of treatment when they sustain injuries.
“We are however committed to training and teaching doctors on sports medicine through a collaboration between the University of Nairobi and the University of Sophia in Nice France so that we can have a high-level sports facility where our athletes and other sports people can get proper emergency care treatment so that they can continue winning medals and bringing glory to our country,” said Dr. Mutua.
The CS who was also accompanied by the French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, TIMAC Agro International chairman Ambassador Dennis Awori and Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii while on a tour of projects funded and supported by the French Government in Uasin Gishu county, said the French government was collaborating with the Kenya government in key sectors including education, road transport and networking, infrastructure, food, security and food security.
“The French government is also supporting other projects in Nairobi, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, and Nandi counties, I wish to thank the French government for the cordial relationship and we are grateful for the various development projects they support that have gone a long way towards creating job opportunities in the country,” added the CS.
In his remarks, the French minister concurred with the CS saying the strong relationship between the Kenya government and the French government was concrete, “our stronger relationship is not mumbo jumbo, we are on the ground providing new maternal health equipment for the children as well as working on ensuring there is enough fertilizer so that farmers can produce enough food. We want to help our people have a better life,” he said
On Agriculture Dr. Mutua said 30 metric tons of fertilizer that is to be blended to be soil specific was in the high seas, adding that the government is stressing having blended fertilizer to reduce soil acidity.
“The government is committed to ensuring our farmers get quality fertilizer that will not damage the soil, for a long time we have depended on DAP, but with support from investors such as TIMAC Agro International of France, we stress on blending to ensure the fertilizer farmers use is soil specific,” he added.
By Kiptanui Cherono
