The Ministry of Health has said the cost of breast cancer treatment will drop from Ksh120,000 to Ksh40,000 per session.
The announcement comes after the ministry signed an agreement with Roche East Africa, a biotech company, which aims to elevate the treatment and management of cancer in the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 29, the ministry confirmed that the cost will apply to all Social Health Authority (SHA) contracted facilities, including public, faith-based, and private hospitals. The ministry assured that no co-payment will be required from patients.
"Presiding over the event, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially launched the collaboration between the Ministry, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), and Roche East Africa," the Ministry stated.
"This partnership aims to strengthen financial protection for patients battling cancer, one of Kenya’s leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in line with the country’s UHC agenda," it added.
The Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, confirmed that the collaboration will also enhance the accessibility of essential cancer medicines and diagnostics to patients, in addition to training healthcare workers in the country on the management of the disease.
The health boss further affirmed that the move will be fundamental in supporting patients battling cancer in the country, in addition to propelling the country towards the Universal Health Coverage(UHC) goal.
“This partnership is not only about reducing treatment costs; it’s about saving lives, promoting equity, and reinforcing the integrity of our healthcare system,” Duale said.
Breast cancer, the most common type of cancer for women, is not only a major health concern in the Kenyan healthcare ecosystem but also globally.
In 2022, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally. During this period, 7,243 women were diagnosed with the disease in Kenya, according to the WHO.
The announcement by MOH comes hours after the Ministry apologized to cancer patients who were affected by the breakdown of the LINAC machine at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Duale, in a statement on Wednesday, May 28, said that the ministry is in the process of replacing the machine, which is a vital component in the treatment of cancer.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the breakdown of the LINAC cancer treatment machine at Kenyatta National Hospital. The Ministry is fast-tracking the procurement of a replacement," he stated.
