CEMPC

The Cancer Education Materials for Patients and Caregivers (CEMPC) program aims at demystifying cancer through the production and distribution of cancer education materials for use by health workers and patients and their caregivers. The materials come in two forms:

• Flipcharts – used by health workers in counseling cancer patients as a guide on the kind of information they need to pass to cancer patients. Before engagement, the health workers first undergo a two (2) day training which equips them with knowledge on cancer and skills on effective communication, breaking bad news, counseling, and handling cancer patients. The flipcharts are available in both English and Swahili.
• Patients and Care Givers Booklets – the booklets are issued to diagnosed cancer patients and their caregivers with an aim of demystifying the disease. The booklets cover various issues such as what cancer is, signs and symptoms of the disease, the treatment options available and their side effects, palliative care and pain management, diet and lifestyle management, and tips for caregivers. The booklet is available in English and Swahili as well.

As of August 2019, KENCO has trained over twenty-five (25) civil society organizations and over one hundred (100) health workers from over forty (40) health facilities providing cancer treatment and care services around Nairobi and its environs Coast, Rift Valley, and Western regions and is actively working with these organizations and facilities on the distribution of these materials to cancer patients and their caregivers. To date over fifteen thousand ( 15,000) materials have been distributed benefiting over twelve thousand (12,000) patients and caregivers have received booklets with at least six thousand (6,000) more estimated to receive them by the end of this year.