KNH, Kisii Level 5 Hospital to receive US$8.5M to boost cancer care

KENYA—Kenyatta National Hospital and Kisii Level 5 Hospital are set to receive a KES 1.1 billion (US$8.493 million) boost from the government to strengthen cancer management across the country.

This significant allocation was announced by Professor Njuguna Ndung’u, Treasury Cabinet Secretary, during his budget presentation in Parliament.

According to Professor Ndung’u, this allocation aligns with the government’s healthcare policies, particularly the social health scheme.

He emphasized that the Social Health Insurance Fund will be key to providing all Kenyans with access to healthcare, offering more benefits with the KES 1.1 billion (US$8.493 million) proposed for cancer management and diagnosis at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kisii Level 5 Hospital.

This funding represents a substantial increase of 51.3 percent from the KES.500 million (US$3.860 million) allocated in the financial year 2023/2024, demonstrating a stronger commitment to combating the deadly disease.

With this allocation, the government aims to bring life-saving cancer services closer to the community, thereby reducing the financial burden on thousands of patients who struggle to afford treatment.

Currently, a significant proportion of cancer screening services in the country are funded through out-of-pocket payments.

The full cycle of treatment for breast cancer can cost up to KES 50,000 (US$386.09), chemotherapy for cervical cancer up to KES 40,000 (US$308.87), and colon cancer treatment between KES 80,000 (US$617.74) and KES 100,000 (US$772.18).

Despite the high cost of treatment, the country relies on nine well-established facilities to provide comprehensive cancer remedial services, of which only three are classified as public facilities.

Cancer is ranked as the third leading cause of death in Kenya, making it a major public health menace that places a heavy burden on families, communities, and the health system.

Approximately 27,000 people in Kenya lose their lives to cancer each year, and about 82,000 people are currently living with the disease.

The most common cancers are breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which together account for 48 percent of the country’s cancer burden.

The government’s increased funding for cancer management is expected to enhance early detection, improve treatment outcomes, and provide better palliative care.

This initiative will also focus on upgrading infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and enhancing research and data collection on cancer.

Moreover, the increased budget allocation is part of a broader strategy to integrate cancer care into the primary healthcare system, ensuring that patients can access quality care without enduring catastrophic health expenditures.

By decentralizing cancer care services and making them available at regional hospitals like Kenyatta National Hospital and Kisii Level 5 Hospital, the government hopes to make significant strides in reducing the incidence and mortality rates of cancer in Kenya.

This proactive approach underscores the government’s dedication to addressing the pressing healthcare challenges faced by Kenyans and highlights its commitment to improving the overall health and well-being of the population.

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