Solution to the cancer crisis lies in sustained research and training

The news from researchers at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom that they have discovered a new type of cells that can recognise and kill most types of cancer is welcome as we begin a year and a century.

The report published in the Nature Immunology journal on a possibility of a universal cancer therapy now raises hope that the disease ravaging people across the world could soon be tamed if not erased.

According to statistics, close to 90 Kenyans die every day through different types of cancers and the finding raises the prospect of cancer treatment that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population.

More than 100 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer daily, and sadly some of the cases are known when it has reached late stages. Nearly every village in Kenya has a person or a number ailing from the disease that remains expensive to treat. This has seen many families left in poverty as they treat their loved ones, locally and even abroad.

In the study the researchers suggest that they had discovered a new type of immune cells called T-cell that can be used to treat a wide range of cancers compared to currently available treatments.

The immune system is the body’s natural defence against infection and T-cells are an essential part of man’s natural immune system as they are vital in hosting an immune response against infection. T-cells have “receptors” on their surface that allow them to “see” at a chemical level and find MR1 in cancer cells.

Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the cancer scourge a national disaster. At Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) as an institution that trains health practitioners, we are alive to the role that we need to play to combat the scourge that is not only robing the lives of our people but impoverishing their families.

As part of efforts to fight the menace, we have rolled out courses that focus on efforts to address cancer. Our institution has ingrained aspects of cancer management in each programme to help prepare graduates to deal with cancer in the communities.

Every year, more than 11,000 students graduate from KMTC and work in communities, where, among others, they are dealing with issues of cancer such as education, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and nursing.

Courses offered at our colleges play a big role in cancer management. But to be more specific, KMTC has developed special programmes at higher diploma level – oncology nursing and clinical medicine at the faculties of nursing and clinical medicine respectively.

The one and half year higher diploma in oncology and palliative care programme, started in September 2019 at Nairobi Campus and the higher diploma in oncology nursing to be offered at the same campus aim to equip graduates with knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat and manage cancer.

Other units are nutrition, medical laboratories where diagnosis is done, nursing for those ailing and palliative care for patients at their last stages of the disease.

Knowing well that part of the cancer spread is because of the changing eating habits in the country, training of nutritionists and dietetics can be used to combat the disease. Nutrition is critical in helping communities make the right choices in the foods they eat for healthier lives.

More than 2,000 students graduated last year with certificate and diploma in nutrition and dietetics. Forty five pioneer students graduated with a higher diploma in medical engineering (diagnostic equipment).

We plan to start a course in cancer management. The course aims at equipping non-professionals with basic skills to prevent, detect, and manage cancer. Even as the government rolls out the Universal Health Care (UHC), we will continue to produce not only more graduates but improve their training. A healthy Nation is a wealth one and we commit to ensure quality of our training is world class and one that seeks to make a difference to the country.

-The writer is professor of microbiology and CEO, Kenya Medical Training College