- The initiative will also enhance screening and diagnostics provision for one million people with lung, breast and prostate cancer.
- This is to improve patient outcomes and reduce the health system burden through early approaches.
Image: FILE
Cancer patients in the country will have access to improved care and diagnosis.
This is after various partners launched a transformative Cancer Care Africa (CCA) programme in Kenya.
It seeks to address critical gaps in cancer care across the country, from diagnosis through to treatment.
CCA is part of Accelerating Change Together (ACT) for Cancer Care, a global, AstraZeneca-led effort to revolutionise the way cancer is diagnosed and treated to drive equitable improvement in patient outcomes and greater resilience in healthcare systems.
The initiative was unveiled by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, the Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), Axios and other partners
The programme will improve cancer care in Kenya by equitably improving access and outcomes across the patient care pathway, from diagnosis through to treatment and beyond.
"With an increasing number of patients being diagnosed with cancer in Kenya, joint action to improve patient outcomes and safeguard health care systems for the future has never been more important," Dave Fredrickson said.
Fredrickson is the Executive Vice-President, of the Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca.
"The Cancer Care Africa programme will support early detection, increase timely diagnosis, and improve access to treatment options for patients across Kenya,” Fredrickson noted.
Through the programme, patients will have access to critical cancer medicines as it will introduce flexible models that can provide access to the Pharma's innovative treatments.
The initiative will also enhance screening and diagnostics provision for one million people with lung, breast and prostate cancer.
This is to improve patient outcomes and reduce the health system burden through early approaches.
It will also ensure the real needs of patients are addressed through engagement to support increased disease awareness and informed patient decision-making.
Speaking during the launch of the programme, Health CS Susan Nakhumicha acknowledged that despite its growing prevalence and mortality, quality cancer care remains a challenge for many.
She raised concern that the disease has a more severe impact on underserved populations, exacerbating existing health inequalities.
Today, cancer is now ranked the third leading cause of death in Kenya behind infectious diseases and cardiovascular NCDs and the fifth in Africa.
"This programme will play a key role in cancer care and management by challenging traditional thinking and advocating for policy changes in cancer care," Nakhumicha said.
"This will improve outcomes for all individuals affected by the disease, regardless of their demographic, geographic or socio-economic status."
She further noted that the initiative has the potential to significantly improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and care, ultimately saving lives and improving the well-being of Kenyans impacted by this disease.
Cancer has become a major public health concern in Kenya and across Africa.
Latest figures from the World Health Organisation show there were 44,726 cancer cases and 29,317 cancer deaths in Kenya in 2022.
This is set against a regional context that estimates 2.1 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths annually by 2040 across Africa.
Despite recent increases in resources invested in cancer, several critical barriers still hinder progress.
These include a lack of disease awareness, limited diagnostic capabilities, an absence of structured screening programmes and challenges in accessing treatment.