Kenyans in Diaspora may hold the most important role in fighting breast cancer in Kenya today. More than 50% of Kenya educated doctors are practicing medicine abroad. Another more than 5,000 doctors left Kenya and later became doctors and dentist abroad and have never returned.
Breast cancer kills more women than HIV/AIDS and Malaria combined globally but the focus on breast cancer has been very minimal in Kenya and Africa in general. Over 70% cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Kenya today are stage 3&4, meaning the cancer has already spread regionally or to distance organs. Other reports have shown that 15% of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases are fungating, meaning they have exploded the skin.
But is the government of Kenya doing anything to help fight breast cancer in Kenya? I feel like breast cancer does not get the attention it deserves in Kenya and Africa in general. The government and regulating bodies should make re-entry of Kenyans in Diaspora easier and lucrative. An average doctor in Kenya earns about $2500 a month, making doctors flee abroad as “economic refugees”.
Kenyans in Diaspora could also contribute in creating breast cancer awareness. It is estimated that one in every 3 families in central province has or knows someone in Diaspora. This translates to powerful information, motivational and financial resource that can help reduce mortality of breast cancer in Kenya from 80% to 50% in 3 years. If every Kenyan in Diaspora sponsored their family to get breast cancer screening, this number could drop drastically.
If the government made technical and legal arrangement to re-import expertise back home, breast cancer and all other diseases killing Kenyans could decrease. Kenyans in Diaspora have been exposed to current treatment modalities, current research and treatment options. Many more have been involved in breast cancer awareness campaigns abroad, something that Kenyan women are missing.
Sponsor your Mom, your Aunt, your neighbor or a friend to get breast cancer screening, education and mammogram today. It could be the most important thing you have ever done for them. It cost less than a weekend night out abroad.
The conclusion is Kenyans in Diaspora hold a great knowledge and financial resource in fight against breast cancer. Unfortunately, no one family is immune to breast cancer and often, breast cancer is fatal in Kenya and rest of Africa. The government bodies needs to rethink how they can tap onto diverse knowledge, talents and financial resources from Diaspora to control diseases and improve quality of life