Ministry to set up regional cancer centres in four counties

By Peter Ochieng

The Ministry of Health is set to expand its cancer care network in the country, with the addition of regional cancer centres in Kisumu, Kakamega, Meru, and Nyeri.

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa made the announcement during the 8th Kenya International Cancer Conference in Kisumu, organised by the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO).

The new centres, the CS said, will join existing facilities in Nakuru, Mombasa, and Garissa, which are already operational.

“The expansion aims to decentralise cancer treatment, decongest referral hospitals, and improve access to care for communities across the country,” she stated.

She emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing the growing cancer burden through improved early detection, better infrastructure, and integration of services under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.

Dr. Barasa also highlighted the inclusion of cancer care packages in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA), to ease the financial burden on patients, alongside efforts to strengthen the oncology workforce and improve diagnostic and treatment capacity.

It was the CSs second visit to Kisumu this week.

On Monday, November 18, 2024, Barasa visited the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where she announced that the Ministry of Health is taking significant strides to reduce the cost of chemotherapy treatment for patients enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program.

Currently, patients in Nairobi are benefiting from direct access to chemotherapy drugs, a move that has significantly lowered treatment costs.

“The government is actively negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to secure lower prices for essential cancer drugs, including chemotherapy medications,” she said.

“By lowering the cost of chemotherapy, we aim to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families."

The CS also acknowledged the challenges faced by patients in accessing radiotherapy services, particularly in regions outside Nairobi.

She underscored the importance of distributing radiotherapy centres across the country to provide equitable access to cancer care.