By Lorraine Anyango.

The Ministry of Health is taking significant strides to reduce the cost of chemotherapy treatment for patients enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program. Currently, patients in Nairobi are benefiting from direct access to chemotherapy drugs, a move that has significantly lowered treatment costs.

“The government is actively negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to secure lower prices for essential cancer drugs, including chemotherapy medications,” said Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa.

Dr. Barasa emphasized that the government is working to increase access to life-saving chemotherapy for more Kenyans, particularly those in underserved areas.

During a recent visit to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Dr. Barasa and Director-General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, engaged with patients and healthcare providers to assess the impact of the SHA program and identify areas for improvement.

“By lowering the cost of chemotherapy, we aim to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families,” Dr. Barasa stated.

Dr. Lusi Ojwang’, Kisumu County Chief Officer of Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, highlighted the need for increased investment in cancer care infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions.

       “We have already spent KSH 150 million in the cancer center construction, this is a huge burden to a county government.” Dr Lusi said.

“We are losing cancer patients from this region because they have to travel to Nairobi or Eldoret for treatment. We need a solution to ensure equitable access to cancer care services,” Dr. Richard Lesiyampe CEO of Jootrh said.

The Ministry of Health is committed to expanding access to quality, affordable cancer care across the country. By addressing the challenges associated with chemotherapy costs and infrastructure, the government aims to improve the outcomes for cancer patients in Kenya.

The CS also acknowledged the challenges faced by patients in accessing radiotherapy services, particularly in regions outside Nairobi. She underscored the importance of distributing radiotherapy centers across the country to provide equitable access to cancer care.

The Ministry of Health has assured healthcare providers that they will receive timely payments from the SHA program. Dr. Barasa urged healthcare providers to encourage patients to enroll in SHA and take advantage of the benefits.