As the world observes World Cancer Day, patients in Kenya continue to struggle with access to life-saving treatment. Currently, in Kenya Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths, with over 3,400 deaths annually, according to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN).
Approximately 25.6 per cent of these breast cancer cases are HER2-positive, requiring the essential drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) which is no longer easily available in public hospitals.
Speaking to Journalists, Kenya network of cancer organizations (KENCO) chairman Mr. Evans Mapelu noted that the situation has gotten worse since the transition to Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Public hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital (KUTRH) have faced dire shortages of lifesaving drugs. Patients are being turned away or forced to seek costly alternatives at private facilities, where a single dose of Herceptin is priced at KES 100,000, which covers only three cycles of treatment under the current SHA coverage limits.”
Other essential drugs such as pertuzumab and Letrozole, are also unavailable affecting thousands of patients.
Rose Wambui, a stage-four cancer patient on palliative chemotherapy, spoke on the realities of having cancer in Kenya especially under SHA.
“I just missed an opportunity to get treatment in January because I could not get a PET scan appointment, being paid for by SHA, and I had to wait for a month and a half and unfortunately, the opportunity passed me by.”
Her problems didn’t start there, “In December, I needed a drug for my second chemotherapy session, but it wasn’t available at KUTRRH. Not a single drug I was supposed to be on was available. Now it’s February, and I still don’t it.”
These challenges she says are despite paying a higher premiums under SHA and receiving lesser coverage.
“Before I was paying KES 950 for my National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the limit for my chemotherapy was KES 600,000, now I am paying KES 1,050 and my limit for my SHA is KES 300,000.”
“The previous money was barely enough, so far I am almost at the top end of the 300,000 and its only February, now what?” She asks, frustrated.
Currently, under SHA there is a Critical and Chronic Illness Fund that is supposed to cover cancer patients like Rose once their Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) coverage is exhausted. However, due to insufficient funding Patients like Rose are being told to wait for two years.
These delays can allow for disease progression.
“Cancer isn’t going to wait for two years, I have done my part,” says Rose “I have paid my premiums until June, why can’t the government do its part? I am trying to get healthy, but they are messing with my psyche. I am psychologically affected.”
As the theme for cancer day 2025 was “United by Unique, a concept that emphasizes placing individuals at the center of cancer care, Healthcare advocacy groups, including KENCO, the NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK), the Cancer Survivors Association of Kenya (CSAK), and the Health NGOs’ Network (HENNET) have called on the government to address the concerns of cancer patients.
“We urgently call on the Government of Kenya and the Social Health Authority (SHA) to take immediate and decisive action to protect and ensure the continuity of cancer and NCD services. The transition from NHIF to SHA resulted in severe service disruptions, jeopardizing the lives and well-being of thousands of Kenyans who depend on uninterrupted medical care.” Their joint statement read.
