Cancer patients on Tuesday, October 7, protested outside Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi demanding an increase in medical coverage for cancer treatment.
The protesting patients wanted the government to review the SHA's medical coverage to reflect the expenses faced by patients, including the costs of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and medication.
The patients argued that the current Ksh550,000 allocated by SHA for the entire course of treatment is insufficient to cover the high costs involved.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the protesters carrying placards, vuvuzelas and flags.
According to reports, the protest, which began at around mid-morning, temporarily disrupted traffic flow around the Upper Hill area.
SHA Cancer Cover
SHA allocates a total of Ksh400,000 per person per year for cancer treatment, including both diagnostic tests and the treatment itself.
Reportedly, SHA covers Ksh100,000 for diagnostic tests such as PET and PSMA scans and Ksh300,000 for treatment.
According to SHA, there are no limits on the number of treatment sessions within the allocated amount for cancer treatment.
The authority further clarifies that cancer treatment coverage is Ksh550,000 per household, although the primary benefit is Ksh400,000 per person per year.
UHC Workers Protest
In other news, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers staged a protest on Tuesday October 7.
The workers were reportedly demanding permanent, pensionable employment and gratuity.
Images and clips seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed the health workers protesting as they marched from Green Park Terminus towards the Ministry of Health offices in Afya House on Cathedral Road in Nairobi County.
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