BD (Becton, Dickinson and
Company), a global medical technology company, has partnered with various agencies
to launch a large-scale mobilization of women for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
screening in Kenya.
The screening
uses using newly FDA-approved self-collection technology.
In
collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute of
Kenya (NCI-K), the Nairobi County Government, and Healthstrat, the initiative
seeks to raise awareness and improve access to cervical cancer screening for
women in Nairobi, particularly in marginalised and underserved communities
where the disease burden is highest.
According to the NCK-K, Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya, with an estimated 3,211 deaths annually.
Speaking at the forum, Chief Officer Medical Services for Nairobi County Dr. Irene Muchoki, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating:
"This is a significant milestone in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Nairobi and Kenya at large. The role of CHPs in reaching vulnerable populations is crucial to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addressing health inequities in both urban and rural areas."
BD Senior Global Director, Public Health Caitlin Asjes said Kenya faces significant challenges in meeting the World Health Organization's cervical cancer elimination targets, which call for 70 per cent of women between 35-45 to be screened.
Currently, only 17% of Kenyan women have ever undergone screening, leaving millions at risk.
“BD’s initiative aims to significantly boost these numbers by providing women with the tools and confidence to take charge of their health,” Caitlin said.
“This HPV self-screening mobilisation marks an important step in the ongoing efforts to reduce cervical cancer mortality rates and the cancer burden in Kenya and highlights the importance of partnerships between private sector innovators and government health bodies in tackling the country's most pressing healthcare challenges.”
BD’s innovative self-collection technology empowers women to overcome stigma and logistical barriers to screening.
This is a key step toward eliminating cervical cancer.
“This project
is possible thanks to key stakeholder collaboration. By working with Community
Health Promoters, we continue to ensure that women can access
the kits and crucial information to fight cervical cancer. Our mandate is to
partner in executing the Ministry's strategy, focusing on early detection and
capacity building across the healthcare system,” said Dr.Andrew Nyandigisi, the
CEO of Healthstrat.
Globally, cervical cancer claims the lives of over 341,000 women every year, with 90 per cent of those deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries like Kenya.
This initiative seeks to transform cervical cancer prevention in Kenya by empowering women to self-screen in a private, safe, and convenient setting, breaking down long-standing barriers to access.
Despite the availability of effective screening methods, efforts to combat the disease in vulnerable populations have been hindered by cultural stigmas, limited access to healthcare professionals, and infrastructural challenges.
The success of this mobilisation hinges on the efforts of over 700 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who have been trained to deliver key health services in their communities.
Front-line health workers play an essential role in Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy, which emphasises early detection, screening, and linking individuals to care.
By involving CHPs, this initiative supports the Ministry of Health’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
