The government is now focused on reducing the cost of cancer treatment in Kenya, they however cannot offer free treatment services.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said his Ministry was looking for other methods to lower the cost of cancer care in the country but free services would be economically unsustainable.
“The ministry is advocating for the adoption of a Universal Health Coverage Scheme which will cover costs of cancer diagnosis and treatment,” Mr Macharia
Speaking at a meeting held by the National Assembly’s Health Committee and chaired by Dr Rachael Nyamai ,Macharia responded to the petition that was seeking to have the Cancer Act,2012 amended.
The act which states that both cancer patients and survivors are to be exempted from paying taxes. Macharia supported the need to have the cancer act.
“In 2013, the ministry did an assessment and realized cancer prevalence is high and a huge chunk of funds go into cancer projects,” he said.
It has been stated that Kenya has over 40,000 cancer patients, with around 5,000 dying every year.
According to a recent report cancer has been ranked as the third highest killer in Kenya after infectious and cardiovascular diseases and 70% of those affected are younger than 70 years.
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