Irungu Nyakera, the chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), announced a proposal to have the government reimburse eligible cancer patients for travel expenses. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) would be responsible for processing the reimbursements, according to Nyakera.
The proposal emerged from a meeting between KEMSA officials and representatives from AstraZeneca, a multinational pharmaceutical company. As part of the collaboration, AstraZeneca is considering investing in prostate and breast cancer screening platforms in all 47 county referral hospitals to facilitate early detection and prevent cancer progression.
Additionally, the government, in partnership with AstraZeneca, will develop a framework to ensure cancer patients can access drugs at affordable prices. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by cancer patients seeking treatment.
AstraZeneca has also launched the Cancer Care Africa program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO), Axios, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI), and other partners. This program will simplify the process of early detection and treatment for cancer patients.
In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with 29,317 deaths and 44,726 reported cases in 2022. The proposals and initiatives aim to improve cancer care and reduce the impact of the disease on patients and their families.
