Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations(KENCO) shared a post on LinkedIn:
“In 2014, a breast cancer diagnosis in Kenya often arrived with two burdens instead of one. The first was medical. The second was financial.
For HER2-positive breast cancer patients, treatment with trastuzumab Herceptin could cost up to KES 350,000 out of pocket, forcing many patients to delay or interrupt care while trying to raise funds.
Today, the picture is markedly different. In public facilities such as Kenyatta National Hospital, patients can access treatment with little or no out-of-pocket payment under structured coverage through the Social Health Authority, with reported costs now around KES 33,800 in some pathways.
At the same time, access to care has improved. The time from diagnosis to treatment initiation has improved from as long as 18–24 months in some cases to about 3–6 months.
This shift reflects a coordinated effort across Kenya’s health system, including the Ministry of Health, public hospitals, and partners, to strengthen the full cancer care pathway.
Within this ecosystem, Jacqueline Wambua (‘Mama Herceptin’), General Manager, East Africa at Roche, has been involved in multi-stakeholder initiatives supporting improved breast cancer care, including the EMPOWER programme focused on connecting awareness, diagnosis, and treatment access into a more seamless patient journey.
The impact is clear. Lower financial burden, faster access, and improved continuity of care are changing what survival looks like for women with breast cancer in Kenya.”
Other articles about Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations on OncoDaily.