“Hope for the fighters, Peace for the Survivors, Prayers for the taken“

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Kenya, with the disease responsible for approximately 12% of all deaths in the country. Despite this, significant gaps in the country’s cancer care system still need to be addressed to improve patient outcomes.

One of the main gaps in cancer care in Kenya is a lack of access to early detection and diagnosis. Most cancer care centers are located within Nairobi, Kiambu, and Nakuru given the most cancer cases are reported in the three counties, thus limited access to   other populations. The high cost of cancer screening and diagnostic services also means that many people in Kenya cannot afford it even if it is available. Their cancer is often not detected until it is in an advanced stage. This makes treatment more difficult and less likely to be successful. In addition, many individuals cannot access accurate and reliable diagnostic tools, which can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Another major gap in cancer care in Kenya is a lack of access to treatment. Many individuals in the country do not have access to the specialized care and treatment that they need, due to a shortage of trained healthcare professionals and a lack of resources. This can lead to poor outcomes for patients, with many dying from cancer when it could have been treated.

In addition to these gaps, there is also a lack of research and data on cancer in Kenya. This makes it difficult to understand the problem’s true extent and develop effective strategies for addressing it.

Despite these challenges, there are some initiatives that are working to address the gaps in cancer care in Kenya. For example, there are organizations working to increase access to screening and diagnostic services, as well as to improve the availability of treatment options. In addition, efforts are underway to improve the training and education of health care professionals to increase the number of specialists available to treat patients.

Overall, it is clear that there are still significant gaps in cancer care in Kenya, and much work remains to be done in order to improve outcomes for patients. However, with the right resources and support, it is possible to make progress in addressing these gaps and improving the lives of those affected by cancer in Kenya.

Article written by Dr. Andrew Waititu, PharmD; a social entrepreneur and a pharmacist working at Kiambu Level V hospital with a desire to give back to humanity. He is the Co-founder Usafi Cleansing Limited ,a Manufacturing operation to empower local Communities .