Health

Bedridden to fighter: Garissa herder says cancer diagnosis helped save his life

Muse Halane Haaye, a resident of Garissa County, during an interview on his battle with cancer. (Photo: Abdimalik Hajir)

By Abdimalik Hajir | Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Muse underwent both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which he says were so expensive that he sold most of his cows and goats, and borrowed from friends and relatives to afford it.

Muse Halane Haaye, once bedridden by an unknown illness, had given up on life.

He tells The Eastleigh Voice that a black spot on his feet grew rapidly, swelling and causing him much pain, so he visited nearby clinics and bought drugs he thought would help.

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Muse fought the unknown ailment for a long time as the world battled the Covid-19 pandemic and it was a double tragedy for the father of eight as he lost his wife in the period.

The drugs did not help and Muse's condition deteriorated, with the swelling spreading to his whole body. He says even his face got so swollen that he couldn't keep his eyes open.

"I have suffered. I did not know what the problem was. I was taken to clinics and was eventually bedridden. It was then that I was admitted to Garissa General Hospital," he says in an interview.

Several tests were done and it was confirmed that he had Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer of the skin.

Costly treatment

Muse underwent both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which he says were so expensive that he sold most of his cows and goats, and borrowed from friends and relatives to afford it.

"I am a herder who has a few goats and cows in Fafi. It becomes very difficult but I thank God that my illness came to light," he says on February 4, 2024, as World Cancer Day is marked, adding that he still goes for medical checks.

Meshack Chebon, an oncologist at the Garissa Cancer Centre, says Muse was taken to the hospital in a wheelchair.

"Although he is doing okay, we still closely monitor him," he says.

Muse was among hundreds who turned up for an event that marked World Cancer Day, alongside Garissa County officials led by Health executive Ahmednathir Omar.

Ahmednathir said the centre currently has 430 patients, 145 of them undergoing radiotherapy, 219 chemotherapy and the rest having both treatments.

He noted that most of the patients at the centre are battling stage four cancer.

The health boss said there is a need for regular checkups for the sake of early diagnosis. He also said that many of the patients suffer from oesophagal cancer hence the need for concerted efforts to establish the cause and how to prevent cases.