The top cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya is infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Ranking second on the killer list are cardiovascular conditions including coronary heart disease, inflammatory heart, and rheumatic heart disease.
Cancer, which comes third in the list, is of numerous types including - oesophagus cancer, cervical, prostate, breast cancer, stomach cancer, oral and liver cancer.
[caption caption="Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru"]
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The high number of deaths resulting from cancer-related complications have seen Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru table a motion in parliament seeking the declaration of cancer as a national disaster.
The motion also seeks to have the government establish a cancer fund that will cater for the treatment and care of cancer patients in the country.
"Effective treatment requires the availability of specialists, chemotherapy services, and essential drugs for pain management," the motion reads in part.
The motion further states that: "there is a need for clear policies concerning terminal pain management, financial and human resources support and palliative care for cancer patients."
In a bid to stem incidences of cancer-related deaths, the bill also envisions to have adequate infrastructure in treatment and hence eliminate patients being referred to distant facilities or experiencing delays in getting treatment.
On Tuesday, Dr Ouma Oluga the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General noted that the cancer crisis in the country was getting out of hand.
[caption caption="Dr Ouma Oluga KMPDU Secretary-General"]
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A report on World Life Expectancy website indicates that the top health risk factors in Kenya include alcohol consumption, smoking, and obesity with an average life expectancy at 63.4 years.
