Nairobi Hospital has been awarded for its programme that supplies a blood cancer drug to poor patients for free.
Currently, 150 cancer patients are getting the drug, known as Glivec or Imatinib, every week for free at the hospital.
It is used to treat certain types of leukaemia and tumours that grow in the walls of the digestive system.
Hospital CEO James Nyamongo said they have supported about 2,000 patients since 2004.
The programme, known as Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP), last week won the hospital a prize during the International Hospital Federation Awards.
The hospital won the Seddiqi Holding Excellence Award CSR category.
“To have the Nairobi Hospital recognised globally for what it is doing for our cancer patients is a great honour. I am deeply grateful to our medical team led by Prof Othieno-Abinya who have inspired and supported this programme over the years,” Nyamongo said in a statement.
The award ceremony was held in Lisbon, Portugal.
A monthly dose of Glivec (Imatinib) costs at least Sh25,000, which the supported patients cannot afford.
The programme in Kenya is supported by Max Foundation together with Novartis Pharmaceutical who donate the medication; Axios International aids in the distribution of drugs. Henzo Kenya, a patient support group is also involved while the Nairobi Hospital manages the treatment.
Glivec is used in the treatment of patients diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia or gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
Eligible patients are those who are not insured and cannot pay for treatment privately.
Nyamongo said the programme has the capacity to drive social change by increasing accessibility and equity in cancer care in Kenya and even beyond.
“In a very special way, I thank our team of medical oncologists for the exemplary work that they are doing under this programme. So far, over 2,000 patients have received free cancer treatment with about 150 of them being attended to every week at The Nairobi Hospital,” he said.
The Glivec programme is available in more than 80 developing countries worldwide where more than 60,000 patients have benefitted worldwide.
The award was received by the hospital’s deputy medical director in charge of services and research Dr Reuben Okioma.
“We were the first hospital to establish a dedicated cancer treatment centre and first hospital to invest heavily in cancer treatment equipment,” Dr Okioma said.
Dr Muna Tahlak, the incoming IHF president, said in a statement: “With over 500 entries from 43 countries vying for recognition in seven award categories this year, our panel of 40 international judges had a very challenging task and difficult time evaluating and selecting the winners among many impressive and excellent entries. Being selected as a winner is a recognition that your entry was exceptionally meritorious and outstanding.”