Health organisations decry poor cancer care services, urge government to act
Many cancer patients who previously depended on NHIF coverage are now burdened with out-of-pocket expenses.
Healthcare organisations in Kenya, including the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO) and the NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK), have condemned the deteriorating state of cancer care services, urging the government to take swift action to address critical gaps in care.
After Marking World Cancer Day on Tuesday, the groups called for an urgent overhaul of cancer treatment protocols, particularly regarding the unavailability of essential drugs and the ongoing disruptions in access to care.
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Cancer patients across the country have been struggling to access life-saving treatments, with shortages of critical drugs like Herceptin (trastuzumab).
Public hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) have run out of stock, forcing patients to seek alternative treatments in private facilities, often at a high cost.
Many of these patients, who previously depended on NHIF coverage, are now burdened with out-of-pocket expenses.
SHA system failures
The organisations also voiced concerns over technical failures within the Social Health Authority's (SHA) registration and authorisation systems, which have further complicated access to treatment.
Patients who had already prepaid their NHIF premiums, expecting a seamless transfer to SHA, are now being asked to make fresh payments, deepening their financial struggles and causing significant treatment delays.
Despite assurances from the government of a smooth transition, numerous patients have been turned away from treatment centres, worsening their conditions.
These failures, according to the healthcare groups, have led to life-threatening interruptions in treatment plans.
They have called on SHA to urgently address these system failures and ensure that patients receive the care they need without further delay.
The organisations also urged the government to invest more in cancer care, specifically by improving radiotherapy services, maintaining equipment, and increasing capacity.
They also recommended fostering public-private partnerships with private hospitals to boost the country's cancer treatment capabilities.
Additionally, they called for increased investment in diagnostic infrastructure, such as PET-CT scans, to enable early detection and timely intervention for cancer patients.
The plea for reform comes at a critical time, as cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, with many patients facing serious barriers to affordable, timely care.
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