Kenya makes strides in childhood cancer fight, but challenges remain
What you need to know:
- While survival rates for pediatric cancer exceed 80 per cent in high-income countries, less than 30 per cent of children in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya survive.
Childhood cancer remains one of the most pressing, yet often overlooked, health challenges in Kenya. While survival rates for pediatric cancer exceed 80 per cent in high-income countries, less than 30 per cent of children in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya survive. This stark difference is largely due to late diagnosis, limited access to care, and the high cost of treatment.
However, the last five years have seen notable notable progress in strengthening childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment through a combination of technological innovation, policy changes, and international partnerships.
The launch of the National Cancer Control Strategy (2023–2027) has placed childhood cancers among priority areas, aiming to improve survival rates through early detection, access to essential medicines, and workforce development.
One key innovation is the integration of childhood cancer screening and referral services into existing maternal and child health programmes in public health facilities. This approach allows health workers at lower-tier facilities to recognise early signs of cancer and refer patients for further care.
In 2022, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Kenyan Paediatric Association and partners like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital launched a national paediatric oncology training programme to equip frontline health workers with the skills needed to detect and manage childhood cancers.
Breakthrough
Another breakthrough has been the digitisation of diagnostic services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Telepathology services, where tissue samples are scanned and shared with specialists remotely, are now being used in pilot counties, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment planning.
“But still, there are serious challenges on access to precision diagnostics, which are key for risk stratification that determines the treatment each child should receive,” explains Dr Irene Nzamu, paediatric hemato- oncologist and head of pediatric oncology at Kenyatta National Hospital KNH.
“It’s one thing to have a policy document, and another to see real change on the ground implementation. We still struggle to access timely precise diagnosis for our children including immunophenotyping and cytogenetics. In most cases, families have to pay out of pocket, and the diagnostic services are often outsourced. That means we’re still a long way from achieving timely and affordable diagnosis for our children. However, as a country we are making positive steps towards achieving this goal.”
But despite the progress, more needs to be done as cost of care remains a critical challenge, with many families struggling to afford transportation, housing near treatment centers, and out-of-pocket costs for diagnostics and supportive therapies.
