Oncology & Palliative Care

ONCOLOGY AND PALLIATIVE CARE
For years, cancer patients in the Lake Region have faced difficult and painful journeys in search of treatment. Many diagnosed with cancers requiring radiotherapy have had to travel between 350 and 500 kilometres to hospitals in Nairobi and Eldoret. For some families, the financial burden, long waiting times, transport challenges, and emotional strain became overwhelming, leading to delayed treatment, interrupted care, or complete loss to follow-up.
Today, a major shift is underway at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), bringing new hope to thousands of patients and families across the region.
Construction of the hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre is now progressing, with radiotherapy services expected to become operational within the year. Supported by approximately KSh 500 million from the national government, the facility is set to transform access to cancer treatment by offering chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical oncology, palliative care, and cancer screening services under one roof.
According to Dr. Phiona Adagi, the oncology department’s vision is to establish JOOTRH as a center of excellence in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient support. The expansion is expected to significantly reduce referrals outside the region and improve continuity of care for patients who previously had limited treatment options close to home.
The urgency of this investment is reflected in recent cancer data from Kisumu County. Statistics from the Angaza Dashboard, which tracks cancer trends between 2011 and 2025, reveal that the county has recorded 4,394 cancer cases over the last decade. Women account for the majority of cases at 64.1 percent, while men account for 35.9 percent.
Cervical cancer remains the leading cancer in the region with 1,038 reported cases, followed by oesophageal cancer with 596 cases and breast cancer with 524 cases. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with 339 cases recorded. Other significant diagnoses include colorectal cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma.
The data also paints a concerning picture of late diagnosis and complex health challenges. Between 75 and 80 percent of patients are diagnosed at advanced Stage III or IV, when treatment becomes more difficult and expensive. Additionally, approximately 32 percent of cancer patients in the registry are also living with HIV, highlighting the need for integrated and specialized care.
In 2024 alone, Kisumu recorded 720 new cancer cases, a sharp increase compared to 292 cases reported in 2018. The growing numbers underscore the urgent need for stronger cancer prevention, early screening, diagnosis, and treatment services within the region.
While the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA) has expanded oncology coverage up to KSh 800,000, many patients still struggle to afford diagnostic procedures such as CT scans and biopsies. Recognizing these barriers, JOOTRH has continued to build partnerships aimed at improving affordability and timely access to treatment.
One key partnership is the two-year Memorandum of Collaboration between JOOTRH and The Nairobi Hospital. Through this agreement, patients requiring radiotherapy are now fast-tracked for treatment in Nairobi, with therapy expected to begin within one week after referral. This intervention is helping reduce delays that can affect survival outcomes.
The hospital has also strengthened diagnostic capacity through the installation of a 128-slice CT scanner and a mammogram machine. International collaborations with Washington University are supporting oncology training, research, and strategies to improve patient retention in care.
Beyond medical treatment, JOOTRH is also addressing the human side of cancer care. Anchor of Hope Cancer Support Group has partnered with the hospital to support a feeding program for patients receiving chemotherapy. Many patients arrive for treatment without meals because of financial hardship, yet proper nutrition remains essential for recovery and tolerance to therapy.
Services currently offered at JOOTRH include Hemato Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Gyne Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Palliative Care with psychosocial support.
For patients and families across the Lake Region, these developments represent more than new buildings or equipment. They represent dignity, access, compassion, and the promise that quality cancer care is becoming available closer to home.