OMOSA: Is the Hustler Nation Hustling Enough?

“Wabunge waache mambo mengi, na kukumbuka kilichowapeleka bunge..." These powerful words, stated by Eldah Gatwiri, echoed through the halls of The Hub Karen on 11th October 2024 during the launch of the breast cancer awareness campaign titled “Think Pink Go Act”.

During the event, survivors of breast cancer expressed their frustrations towards their political leaders, representatives, and the government, feeling neglected and abandoned in a time when support is crucial.

The Think Pink Go Act campaign organized by Eminence Global PR is a CSR initiative designed to unite people nationwide in the fight against breast cancer. Its mission is clear: to raise awareness, advocate for early screenings, and provide support to breast cancer patients.

This campaign seeks not only to educate the public about the importance of early detection but also to inspire a community of advocates who can help change the narrative surrounding breast cancer.

As the launch unfolded, sentiments of disillusionment were evident.

Then, the atmosphere seemed to be the unwritten sentiment among the breast cancer champions who took the stage. During the event, they voiced their grievances primarily concerning the shift from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which now fails to provide adequate support for their treatment.

One survivor shared her heart-wrenching experience of losing friends who were on the healing journey with her. She lamented that SHIF not only fell short in covering the costs of treatment but also neglected the necessary medications essential for recovery.

This sentiment was echoed by many during the campaign launch, highlighting the grim reality that many survivors face. The aftercare treatment for breast cancer is exorbitantly expensive, with some medications costing as much as Sh400 per tablet.

Survivors shared that if they skip their medication for just a day, they are filled with fear of relapsing, which means they may have to restart the treatment process altogether. In a nation characterized as a "hustler nation," such costs are not only burdensome but often impossible to bear for many survivors striving to regain their health and dignity.

The challenges faced by these survivors raise critical questions about the adequacy of healthcare support in Kenya. As the cost of treatment continues to rise, many survivors find themselves at a crossroads, forced to make impossible choices about their health due to financial constraints.

The loud and unified call from the breast cancer champions at the event was not just for sympathy but for tangible action from their leaders.

In a powerful display of solidarity, these champions urged their leaders and representatives to take immediate action. They emphasized that it is time to walk the pink talk.

Political leaders must provide the support they pledged before being elected to office; they must move beyond mere rhetoric and implement strategies that genuinely aid those affected by breast cancer.

As the Think Pink Go Act campaign gains momentum, it serves as a reminder that breast cancer is not just a statistic; it is a lived experience for many Kenyans. The voices of survivors like Eldah Gatwiri resonate beyond the walls of The Hub Karen.

They are a clarion call for accountability, urging those in power to transform their promises into actions that will benefit the countless individuals affected by this disease.

In conclusion, the breast cancer champions stand united in their plea: it is time to not only think pink but also act.

They call on their leaders to support early screenings, affordable treatments, and comprehensive aftercare. The road to recovery for many breast cancer survivors hinges on the actions taken today. As a society, we must rally together, not just for awareness but for concrete changes that will make a difference in the lives of those fighting this battle. It is time to act.

Joshua Omosa is the PR Executive at Eminence Global PR Firm