Pass laws in favour of cancer victims- activist urges legislators

Jimia Abdul Co Founder of FADLCARDA Leukemia Foundation an NGO combating cancer among kids in slums areas

BY OUR REPORTER

Jimia Abdulyusuf, co-founder of FADLCARDA Leukemia Foundation has called on legislators to pass a law geared towards reducing the price of cancer medications.

The activist says cancer medications are so expensive that ordinary Kenyans cannot afford.

“Our leaders should come up with bills that favor cancer victims. The price of cancer medicines is very high for ordinary Kenyans” she noted

According to Jimia, cancer treatment is mostly done in India unlike South Africa which offers treatment at a relatively higher cost.

She further urged lawmakers to pass a bill that will reduce taxation of cancer medicines.

“The taxation charged on cancer medicines should also be reduced by passing a bill on the same”

Addressing journalists in Mombasa on Monday Jimia said there is need for the government to look into the matter adding that cancer victims from the grass root level go through hell.

The human rights crusader says FADLCARDA Leukemia Foundation also sensitizes the public on the effects of and risks of cancer in the society.

Jimia in one of her cancer awareness campaigns

“Most of the cancer patients in rural areas and the grass root level have no funds to go for screening. We also create awareness to the public on the effects and dangers of cancer” Jimia stated

She says the NGO concentrates more on kids suffering from cancer, the reason for its formation.

She noted that the NGO was formed after a cancer baby victim died and later buried in India while undergoing treatment.

“This group started after one of us (chairlady) lost her infant while undergoing cancer treatment in India. The baby was buried in India leaving while the mother traveled back home” she said

Meanwhile, Anderson Kibanzu, a cancer survivor from Barani in Kilifi County urged the government to reduce the cost of cancer medicines.

He holds the opinion that if the government fails to address the plight ordinary Kenyans will not be able to meet the cost of treating cancer.

“The government should address this issue. According to me we risk as a country losing thousands of Kenyans”

According to her the nation risks losing thousands of Kenyans if the disease will not be contained.

In 2018, Jimia won the East Africa Nubian Awards (EANA) 2018 Community Activist Category and nominated for the same awards Outstanding Woman Category.

The NGO works in different counties including among others Mombasa, Nairobi and Garrisa.

One of Jimia's awareness tours scheduled for 2019

According to Jimia Abdulyusuf, the NGO has dealt with a total of 8 cases of cancer out of which 5 cancer victims died while three are still under treatment.

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