NAIROBI, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday attributed increased cases of cancer in Africa to inadequate human resources.

Sicily Kariuki, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health said the growing cancer burden has strained public health facilities that are already grappling with the lack of trained personnel.

"We, unfortunately, have a shortage of specialists in the critical fields of medical physics, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy technology and oncology nursing," Kariuki said during the launch of the Africa Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA).

She said that Kenya has 16 radiation oncologists, 10 medical physicists, 35 oncology nurses, 27 therapy radiographers and three nuclear medicine physicians, way below the number of people seeking medical care in both public and private health facilities.

Kariuki said the government has prioritized the training of oncologists to boost diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer in the country. The training of additional personnel on radiology is on course at major referral hospitals in the country to boost response on the rising cancer burden.

"We are committed to expanding radiotherapy services and also supporting the construction of radiotherapy bunkers and their supra-structures and equipping of these facilities to improve access to radiotherapy services within the country," said Kariuki.

She said that a partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency will strengthen human resource capacity for cancer management in the country.

Valentina Varbanova, IAEA program management officer said the UN agency will provide capacity building to facilitate the development of a national radiotherapy expansion project in Kenya. Enditem

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