By M, KNA
The government has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of cancer medicine for over 100,000 Kenyans currently undergoing treatment in the country.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga said the move has so far reduced the cost of breast cancer medicine from approximately Sh120,000 to Sh38,000.
Addressing the press after supervising the on-going construction of the Kisii Cancer Centre on the outskirts of Kisii town, Dr. Oluga noted such MOUs with companies like Pfizer and Roche and the operationalization of the six cancer centres in the country will reduce the cost that the Social Health Authority (SHA) pays for Kenyans seeking treatment overseas.
“This intervention will also reduce the huge burden of cervical, breast, colorectal and esophageal cancer which force patients to travel for long distances to seek medical attention,” said the PS.
According to Dr. Oluga, more than 29,000 Kenyans die from cancer every year while 45,000 people are also diagnosed with the disease yearly.
He revealed the six comprehensive cancer care centres in the country were currently overstretched and the government was keen to expand access countrywide.
The PS said the Kisii project is expected to be completed by the end of the year so that it responds to the needs of cancer patients in the region.
In addition, Dr. Oluga pointed out that the government had increased funding for the SHA package to ease access to care without financial burden.
However, he urged patients to seek treatment abroad through SHA-contracted overseas hospitals after receiving an approval from the authority and ensure their SHA contributions are up to date to avoid inconveniences.
The PS noted the government was partnering with various institutions including King’s College London and the University of Manchester to promote training and knowledge exchange that will elevate standards of care in the country.
“We are trying to ensure that we build skills and train specialists who can offer care and treatment for some of those diseases that make Kenyans to go abroad,” he emphasized.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke described the Kisii project as a key component of the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Isaboke said the facility will act as a research center and therefore, cushion the residents of Kisii and neighbouring counties against a disease which is now a pandemic in the country.
“Cancer is now becoming a pandemic across the villages and establishing a cancer center of excellence for research will support our people,” he added.
Currently, many cancer patients from the region are forced to travel to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi or Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, for treatment.
Representing King’s College London and the Kenya-UK Health Alliance, Professor Graham Lord said the collaboration was one way of delivering cancer care and research closer to the grassroots.
He explained that his role in the country was to ensure that cancer care meets global standards, adding that this was the original goal of the partnership.
Prof. Lord expressed optimism that the centre will deliver the care and research required through a highly-skilled workforce after its completion.
On his part, Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo said the county government was impressed with the progress of the project, adding that it should be completed within the set timelines to serve Kisii residents and beyond.
The high-level delegation led by PS Oluga included other representatives from the National Cancer Institute of Kenya and State Department for Medical Services.
The team later visited the comprehensive Cancer Centre at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County to assess the progress of the project.
