AMPATH collaborates with JOOTRH to launch IMARA-BC to combat breast cancer in western Kenya

KENYA — The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) have formed a strategic partnership to fight breast cancer in Western Kenya.

This partnership is anchored by a three-year grant called IMARA-BC—Integrated Model for Access, Retention, and Advanced Breast Cancer Care.

This initiative targets women aged 40 and above, encouraging them to undergo routine screening so that cancer is detected at stage one or two, when treatment is most effective.

A push for early detection

Speaking during a consultative meeting at JOOTRH, Dr. Loice Sitienei stressed the importance of catching cancer before it reaches terminal stages.

She was joined at the meeting by John Oguda, Managing Director of Indiana University Kenya, and Winnie Sabul, AMPATH Program Coordinator.

JOOTRH CEO Dr. Joshua Okise welcomed the team and invited the partners to make use of the hospital’s existing “JOOTRH Mashinani” outreach program.

The mobile health vehicle at the heart of this program will travel to grassroots communities to screen for breast cancer alongside other ailments.

Building on Existing Progress

IMARA–BC builds on the momentum of the ongoing Kisumu Breast Cancer Project (KBCP).

Led by Dr. Albert Ngonga in partnership with JOOTRH, the KBCP actively navigates and supports patients throughout their entire treatment journey.

The new programme expands this work by addressing the full “continuum of “care”—moving beyond screening to ensure patients complete their full course of treatment.

The Pfizer Foundation funds IMARA–BC through its “Action & Impact, a Cancer Care Initiative,” which operates across Kenya and Ethiopia.

How the Programme Works

The programme targets the key barriers that prevent women from completing cancer treatment.

It raises public awareness to reduce stigma and promote early health-seeking behavior while training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and healthcare providers to identify symptoms and manage cases at an early stage.

Additionally, the project expands the use of digital diagnostics and patient-tracking systems to monitor those at risk of dropping out of care due to financial hardship or distance.

The programme also introduces referral mechanisms that ensure a smooth transition from a positive screening result to definitive diagnosis and treatment.

A national framework

Beyond its regional scope, the project will work closely with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI) and the Ministry of Health to establish a “Kenya Cancer Consortium,” designed to harmonise clinical cancer guidelines across the country.

Current partners in the initiative include the Ministry of Health, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Moi University, Indiana University, and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).