Hundreds of cancer patients in Taita Taveta County are set to benefit from specialized treatment closer to home, as the Moi County Referral Hospital-Voi Oncology Centre moved a step closer to becoming fully operational following an assessment by national health regulators.
Officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-Kenya) conducted a comprehensive inspection of the facility, a key requirement before the center can begin offering oncology services under national standards.
The milestone marks a significant step in restoring cancer treatment services in the county after the hospital’s Chemotherapy Unit was shut down in 2022 for operating from premises that had not been inspected and certified by the relevant regulatory authorities.
The closure forced hundreds of cancer patients from Taita Taveta and neighbouring counties to seek treatment in Mombasa and Nairobi, exposing them to high transport, accommodation, and other related costs while coping with the burden of the disease.
Speaking during a meeting with the visiting inspection team, Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, who is also the Acting County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, said the county’s administration was committed to ensuring residents access quality and specialized cancer care within its borders.
Kilalo noted that operationalizing the Oncology Centre would significantly ease the financial and emotional burden borne by patients and their families.
“Patients and their families have been incurring significant costs associated with transport, accommodation, meals, and other related expenses, in addition to the cost of treatment. This will soon be a thing of the past with the operationalization of this center,” she said.
She added that the county government had prioritized compliance with national regulatory requirements to ensure patients receive safe, quality, and reliable oncology services.
The KMPDC delegation, led by Fredrick Joel, commended the county government for embracing the regulatory process and implementing recommendations issued by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya.
Joel said the Council’s role extends beyond regulation to supporting counties in strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring facilities meet the standards required to provide specialized services.
“Our main mandate is to provide counties with technical support to ensure that health facilities across the country attain full compliance with the required standards and have the ability to offer safe and quality oncology services,” he said.
According to county health officials, more than 500 cancer patients are currently registered at the center, drawn from Taita Taveta and neighbouring counties, highlighting the growing demand for accessible cancer treatment services in the region.
Once operational, the Oncology Center is expected to improve access to chemotherapy and other specialized cancer services, reduce referrals to distant hospitals, lower out-of-pocket expenses for patients and families, and contribute to improved health outcomes through timely diagnosis and treatment.
The facility is also expected to strengthen the county’s capacity to manage the rising burden of non-communicable diseases while bringing life-saving cancer care closer to residents.
By Arnold Linga Masila
