Senior Dr Catherine Nyongesa is Kenya’s first female radiation oncologist. Her tale is one of grass to grace, tenacity, sheer grit, and enthusiasm, and she has made a significant contribution to Kenyan society. The story of the tireless doctor is also one of inspiration.
Preamble
Nyongesa began her work with the creation of the Texas Cancer Centre in Kenya, after recognizing a severe vacuum in the health facilities available to people with cancer in the nation. The large facility, which began with a KES100 million loan, has grown to over KES1 billion in value. She is regarded as one of the country’s 23 multi-billionaire women.
Humble Background
Nyongesa was born and nurtured in the current Bungoma County’s Ebosiso village. She is the eldest child in a family of ten.
Her parents were financially strapped, and they battled to meet her and her nine siblings’ demands.
“My mother was out of work. She had dropped out of class five. Education was the only way to get forward in life. In a previous interview, Nyongesa noted, “I used to walk to school every day.”
But, like any other industrious Kenyan, Dr Nyongesa experienced a difficulty that put her commitment to better herself and her family to the test.
Following her graduation from high school, a guy interested in marrying her approached her parents, promising that their daughter would be set for life and would not need to continue her schooling.
“I recall that incident. An auditor came to my house and asked for my hand in marriage, but I refused because I realized I was in charge of my destiny,” Dr Nyongesa continued.
Excellent Performance
Her difficulties did not deter her from putting in long hours. Her background, in fact, tremendously influenced her fervour and ambition, particularly at school, where she worked relentlessly. Nyongesa was chosen to pursue medicine at the University of Nairobi after her outstanding performance at Misikhu Girls Secondary School.
Need Triggers her Idea
Catherine was a student at the University of Nairobi when her sister, Cimmonne Nyongesa, was diagnosed with uterine cancer and needed treatment.
“I aspired to be a cancer expert so that I could make a difference in the lives of as many cancer patients as possible,” she added.
She began working in different hospitals after graduating until she fled the country.
She was so frightened by the incident that she decided to pursue a career in oncology to help as many cancer sufferers as possible.
Her fervour and dedication led her to oversee the establishment of one of the country’s major cancer treatment centres. The hospital is currently valued at whooping KES1 billion, indicating that the risks were well worth it.
“Cancer is on the rise, and I aimed to develop a group to fill the need.” Cancer treatment is costly, and many patients cannot afford it. “I wanted to provide a comfortable atmosphere for patients to heal in,” Dr Nyongesa added.
MD Cancer Centre in Texas, as well as other contributors, support the clinic. American rapper Rick Ross and Jamaican Dancehall musician De Marco are among the well-known benefactors who have visited the hospital and offered gifts.
Final Thoughts
The centre’s goal is to deliver high-quality treatment to individuals through individualized services.
“At Texas Cancer Centre, we recognize the many factors involved in cancer therapy, and as a consequence, we have established a thorough and patient-centred treatment plan that takes into account the complexities of treatment options,” according to a statement on the hospital’s homepage.
Read more: https://businesstoday.co.ke/cancer-mashujaa-day-catherine-nyongesa-texas-cancer-centre/
