JOOTRH’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre set to begin radiotherapy services this year as data reveals growing crisis

KENYA—Construction of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) continues to advance, with officials targeting radiotherapy services to become operational within the year.

The national government backs the facility with approximately KSh 500 million (USD 3.85 million), addressing a critical gap in cancer care across the Lake Region.

Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, led a high-level delegation to assess progress at the site.

The visiting team included Mr. Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Professor Graham Lord of King’s College London, and representatives from the National Cancer Institute of Kenya.

Their visit underscored a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening oncology services, research capabilities, and academic collaboration in the region.

Ending the referral crisis

For years, patients in the Lake Region have faced devastating barriers to cancer treatment.

Nearly half of those requiring radiotherapy travel 350 to 500 kilometers to facilities in Eldoret and Nairobi.

Many never complete their treatment due to distance, cost, long waiting times, and navigation challenges.

The new comprehensive center will change this reality by providing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical oncology services under one roof.

Building sustainable capacity through partnership

The collaboration with King’s College London extends beyond infrastructure development.

The partnership focuses on establishing oncology fellowships, facilitating academic exchanges, and creating a regional hub for research and clinical trials.

Officials also plan to expand diagnostic capabilities and explore establishing a sickle cell research center in Kisumu.

These initiatives aim to strengthen local data collection, boost research output, and train specialists to match the region’s disease burden.

Alarming cancer statistics revealed

Dr. Phiona Adagi, Director of Oncology and Palliative Care, presented data from the Angaza Dashboard that tracks cancer cases from 2011 through 2025.

The figures expose an escalating crisis in Kisumu County, where 4,394 residents have received cancer diagnoses over the past decade.

Women account for 64.1% of cases, revealing a stark gender disparity.

Cervical cancer leads with 1,038 cases, followed by esophageal cancer with 596 cases and breast cancer with 524 cases.

Prostate cancer ranks as the leading threat among men, recording 339 cases.

Other prevalent cancers include colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma.

Critical challenges persist

The data reveals troubling patterns that demand urgent intervention. New cases surged to 720 in 2024, with 478 affecting women and 242 affecting men, representing a significant increase from the 292 cases recorded in 2018.

Approximately 32% of cancer patients also test positive for HIV, creating complex treatment needs.

Between 75% and 80% of patients receive diagnoses at advanced Stage III or IV, when treatment options become severely limited.

The Social Health Authority now offers oncology benefits up to KSh 800,000 (USD 6,154), yet many patients still struggle with out-of-pocket costs for essential diagnostics like CT scans and biopsies.

Nearly 59% of patients drop out of treatment within the first year, classified as “Lost To Follow Up.”

Hospital officials plan to leverage real-time data to improve survival rates and make early detection the standard across the lakeside region.