After successfully establishing first ever cancer center in Meru County at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital(MeTRH), Governor Kiraitu Murungi has initiated the second phase of addressing the cancer disease with the official commencement of cervical cancer screening and treatment. Over 40 Thermo-ablation machines for treatment of precancerous lesions have been commissioned today, and will distributed across the County.

During the close of a 5 day training workshop for frontline workers by Clinton Health Access Initiative(CHAI), that will assist in the implementation of the program, Chief of staff Hon. Gideon Kimathi said the program will be essential in reducing the distance travelled to MeTRH for access of services.

He noted that this also addresses the question of "what next after cancer screening" since the machines will be used in the treatment process taking only a maximum of 5 minutes.

CHAI -Vice President, who is also the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, and the Country Director in Kenya Gerald Macharia noted that out of the 9 countries their program is available so far, in Kenya Meru County has been chosen to benefit because of the existing infrastructure put in place by Governor Kiraitu, such as the cancer center and personnel which will facilitate smooth implementation.

CECM for Health, Misheck Mutuma called on women to avail themselves in hospitals for testing especially those above 25 years once the programs takes off. He said the County is also offering vaccination against forms of cancer, which young girls are urged to take advantage of.