Kilifi County has launched a comprehensive cancer treatment center at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, bringing relief to cancer patients who have for a long time travelled to other counties in search of specialized care.
The 10-bed oncology center, established through a partnership between the Kilifi County Government, the Government of France, the Gates Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation, will offer cancer screening, diagnosis, chemotherapy and specialized oncology services.
Speaking during the launch, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro said the facility would significantly reduce the burden on patients who have been forced to seek treatment in Mombasa, Nairobi and even outside the country.
“I am sure apart from Kilifi, some of the patients will be coming from Tana River, Lamu and even Mombasa,” said Mung’aro.
The governor attributed the milestone to strong collaboration between the county government and development partners.
“These are the results of the many partners we have been working with for the last one year and today I am happy that Kilifi has a cancer center,” he said.
Mung’aro noted that the facility has complied with all health and safety regulations and is equipped with modern equipment and a team of oncologists who will oversee treatment and diagnosis services.
He added that the county has also rolled out a mobile outreach initiative dubbed the Cancer Mashinani Program to enhance early detection and treatment of cancer cases at the grassroots level.
“Instead of all patients coming to the center, through the Cancer Mashinani Program, doctors will be conducting screening and diagnosis at the grassroots so as to avoid congestion at the center,” he said.
French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Kenya in the fight against cancer.
“We are committed to ensuring continued cooperation not only between the Government of Kenya and the Government of France but also with our other partners, the Gates Foundation and Aga Khan Foundation, in fighting the cancer pandemic,” he said.
Aga Khan Foundation diplomatic representative Amin Mawji said the partnership would help address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the coastal region.
“Incidences of non-communicable diseases and cancers are growing in this part of the world and therefore, the more we can bring services closer to the people, the better it will be,” he said.
Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, Sam Mulyanga, emphasized the importance of prevention and community awareness, particularly through vaccination program.
“We have to make sure that cancers that can be prevented through vaccination, such as cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine, are addressed through community outreach because treatment can be very expensive,” he said.
Dr. Nashat Noor from the National Cancer Institute of Kenya said the institution is working closely with county governments to strengthen cancer care and ensure universal health coverage.
“This is a great achievement and it shows the level of commitment some leaders invest in the health of their people. Cancer should not be a death sentence and with early diagnosis it can be prevented, especially cervical cancer,” she said.
Cancer survivors and patients who attended the launch welcomed the facility, saying it would spare them the high costs associated with seeking treatment outside the county.
They urged residents to embrace regular screening and early testing, emphasizing that cancer is manageable when detected early.
Their sentiments were echoed by palliative care nurse Lillian Saidi, who said the facility would help address the challenge of late-stage cancer diagnosis that has persisted for years.
“We were always treating people too late because getting to Mombasa or Nairobi took time and money. Let us not isolate cancer patients in our homes because stigma affects their mental wellbeing,” she said.
Local residents and health stakeholders described the facility as a practical demonstration of devolution at work, noting that it would improve access to life-saving cancer services across the county.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, and the new treatment center, together with its mobile outreach program, is expected to enhance early diagnosis and timely intervention for patients across Kilifi County.
By Stephen Mrira and Kelvin Kariuki
