The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, today, January 26, set up a camp at Ngiriambu Primary School to offer cervical and prostate cancer screening, as well as vaccinations for girls aged 10-14 with HPV shots. For many families, the initiative eliminated costs that often prevent early diagnosis and prevention.
According to officials on the scene, “the focus is early detection and preventing disease, and in particular cervical cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Kenya.”
The exercise is part of activities marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, observed every January, which focuses on increasing awareness around screening and vaccination as life-saving interventions.
Under the national immunisation programme, the HPV vaccine is offered free in public health facilities, but access remains uneven in rural areas due to distance and transport costs. Officials said outreach camps like the one in Kirinyaga help bridge that gap.
Residents were advised to take advantage of the free services, with health workers stressing that early screening not only saves lives but also significantly reduces long-term treatment costs.